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Liverpool have been arguably the best side in Europe this season, a feat made that more impressive given that the Reds didn’t make a major signing last summer.

Although Federico Chiesa was brought in for just £12m from Juventus, the Italian international has remained a bit-part player for Arne Slot, with the Dutch coach finding success in taking the players left by Jurgen Klopp and evolving them into superstars for Liverpool.

Rafa Benitez has lauded Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister for becoming one of the best midfield duos this season under Slot, whilst Jamie Carragher has urged Virgil van Dijk to stay at Liverpool with the defender’s contract situation yet to be resolved.

Indeed, the centre-back position is one Liverpool will need to work on regardless of what happens to Van Dijk, and an FC Barcelona superstar might have just given the Reds an excuse to move in for a top defender in the summer.

Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images

Ronald Araujo is a name Liverpool fans are well-acquainted with, with the Uruguay international long-linked with a move to Anfield despite suffering from numerous injury problems over the years, including this season.

Although it’s been well over a year since Liverpool were rumoured with signing Araujo, things could soon change after recent comments from the Barcelona defender, who recently named Van Dijk as his biggest inspiration as a centre-back.

With Fabrizio Romano saying Liverpool want to make an ‘important’ defensive signing this summer, Araujo could re-emerge as a top target for the Reds, especially with AS reporting that Barcelona are open to selling the 25-year-old for £53m.

And with Araujo naming Van Dijk as the defender he admires the most, the stars could soon be aligning for Slot to make his first major purchase as manager of Liverpool, a deal that many fans will back given what they have seen from the South American in the past.

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Defence looks set to be the area of the pitch where the Reds will make the most of their summer dealings, with Antonee Robinson emerging as a top target for Liverpool as Slot looks to upgrade in the left-back position.

With Liverpool also interested in signing Wesley Franca, virtually every area of the backline could be set for a make over, with centre-back no exception with the Reds lacking in a truly world-class alternative to Van Dijk.

As a result, Araujo could be considered a top option for Liverpool, especially if Barcelona are open to letting the defender leave for a reasonable place in the summer transfer window.