Richard Hughes you GENIUS: Tomas Araujo is perfect for Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool are looking into a deal for Benfica’s Tomas Araujo. It’s exactly what they need.

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool are strongly considering a move for Benfica defender Tomas Araujo. Araujo would be available for £67m (his release clause) should the Reds ultimately decide to push forward.

But it’s a complicated situation. For one, Liverpool aren’t even aware of how much they need a new centre-back.

It largely hinges on Ibrahima Konate, who enters the final year of his contract this summer. Talks with the Frenchman have stalled and if a new deal isn’t signed, Liverpool are inclined to sell while they still can.

Their first choice to replace Konate would be Dean Huijsen and it appeared they stood a wonderful chance of snapping him up. Real Madrid, however, have decided to repeat their favourite story of the summer and move into pole position for a major Liverpool transfer target.

It now appears Huijsen is off there, leaving the Reds searching for an alternative. Araujo is exactly that, then - not the first-choice option by any means but a really solid one.

In fact, we think he’s perfect.

Tomas Araujo at Liverpool

It’s incredibly easy to see why Liverpool would be interested in Araujo. First and foremost, he’s an incredibly versatile defender.

Primarily a centre-back, Araujo has started just shy of 20 fixtures at right-back this season. That includes on fixture as a right-wingback - a game in which he actually scored (albeit from a set-piece).

But that’s exactly the kind of versatility that we know Liverpool want. Arne Slot has been ‘forced’ to use both Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah at right-back this season - having a more natural option there would be a fantastic boost to the squad.

So couple that with Araujo being just 22 and you’ve got a really solid signing that improves the squad. There’s long-term potential as well as the versatility. Suddenly the asking price doesn’t seem so daunting.

And Araujo is someone who fits the bill in other ways. He makes plenty of recoveries (among the most in Portugal) as well as tackles - though, his stats are slightly difficult to judge given he plays two different roles so consistently.

But what we can say for sure is that Araujo is a defender who’s incredibly comfortable on the ball and happy to move into different roles. Doing that at 22 is rare but also exactly what Liverpool are after.

Young players typically don’t excel in two very different roles. Experience brings comfort on the pitch and it’s only then that they move into new surroundings and perform well.

Araujo has no trouble being asked to do different things from game to game, though. It’s a sign that not only could he boost the squad but he could find adapting to life in a new team easier than most.

We’ll admit that Araujo isn’t the dream successor to Ibrahima Konate but with both Quansah and Gomez linked with exits, he’s essentially a perfect addition. One who could grow into a fine defender while covering two positions to a high standard.

We’re on board.