Liverpool fans decide who they now want as their centre-back pairing after signing Ronald Araujo

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Andoni Iraola finally has some options at centre-back for Liverpool, with Ronald Araujo due to arrive on loan from Barcelona.Pre-season has shown just how thin the Reds are in central defence, with 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe playing more minutes than anybody else.Virgil van Dijk has now returned, and the Dutchman will once again be key for Liverpool this season, but with injury concerns over Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, Araujo‘s arrival was necessary. How do you feel about Liverpool signing Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on loan?

Nobody saw this coming! 🫨 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Pedro Salado On their day, all four players could be good enough to partner Van Dijk in the heart of the Liverpool defence, and when asked on social media which player should be in the regular XI, fans on Rousing The Kop’s social media pages had differing opinions.Liverpool fans split on who should partner Van DijkAlthough he did not have the best season last year, Van Dijk is the only undisputed starting centre-back for the Reds, meaning fans are picking between four players for one position rather than three.Gomez can also really be ruled out of that mix, with the 29-year-old simply not fit often enough to be considered for a spot in the regular starting XI.Jacquet currently looks like being the favourite to play when he’s back from injury, but fans on RTK‘s Facebook page, think Araujo and Leoni could be viable options as well.READ MORE: How much Liverpool have agreed they will pay to sign Ronald Araujo permanently at the end of his loan“Araujo, especially at the start,” said one supporter. “Once Jacquet and Leoni are fit we can rotate and figure out the best combo.

“When was or who or which player has ever started at 19 for an elite team any answers?”“The first games Araujo because Leoni and Jacquet aren’t fit yet,” was another fan’s view, while one more suggested: “Leoni when he’s fit.”Meanwhile, supporters on RTK’s X page were equally split, with Jacquet and Leoni seemingly seen as the favourites.Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images“Leoni all day – could be Jacquet alongside in a couple of months,” said one fan. “VVD doesn’t have to be played in every game – we have cover now and don’t have to rush or overplay anyone.”“We spent £60m to sign Jacquet… the answer is already there,” someone else pointed out.With plenty of options in the middle of defence, some supporters also suggested that Araujo can be in the starting XI as well, but as a right-back.“Would prefer Araujo on the right back,” one fan said on Facebook, while an X user added: “VVD + Jacquete, Araujo for right back.”While it remains to be seen who gets the nod from Iraola, the Basque – and Liverpool supporters – will simply be relieved that they now have players who can fill in the gaps.