Darwin Nunez is confident that Liverpool's supporters will welcome his international team-mate Ronald Araujo with open arms ahead of his proposed loan move to Anfield. 

On Saturday, widespread reports revealed that Araujo had agreed to join Liverpool on a season-long loan, having fallen out of favour under Hansi Flick at Barcelona. 

The 27-year-old was restricted to just 16 starts in all competitions last season, having only made 17 in 2024-25, but the Reds hope he will solve their issues at centre-back. 

Andoni Iraola has stressed the need for reinforcements across the pitch, but defence is an area he is particularly keen to improve.

The Reds lost Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer to Real Madrid earlier this summer, while Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez are out injured. 

Virgil van Dijk started alongside 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Monaco, before midfielder Wataru Endo partnered Luke Chambers at the heart of Liverpool's defence for the last half an hour. 

But Nunez, who endured a few difficult spells during his three years at Liverpool, wished Araujo well ahead of his move to Merseyside, which is yet to be officially announced.

"I wish you the best in this great club, friend Ronald Araujo," Nunez posted on social media. 

"It deeply gladdens me that you can feel what it is – the affection and support of the fans. They are special, and they will make you feel it that way.

"Now you are a red more, from afar, always wishing you the best! LET'S GO UP!"

Te deseo lo mejor en este gran club amigo @RonaldAraujo_4…me alegra profundamente que puedas sentir lo que es el cariño y el apoyo de la afición de @LFC ellos son especiales y así te lo van a hacer sentir, ahora sos un red más, desde la distancia siempre deseándote lo mejor… pic.twitter.com/A33TmrNQA6

— Darwin Núñez (@Darwinn99) August 9, 2026

Araujo was granted a mental health break of just over a month midway through 2025-26, with Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia emerging as Flick's favoured centre-back duo.

The Uruguay international is set to become only the fourth player from his country to represent Liverpool, and the first since Nunez did so. 

Nunez made 143 appearances for the Reds across all competitions, scoring 40 goals and providing 22 assists, but he never nailed down a first-team spot under Jurgen Klopp or Arne Slot.

He left Anfield for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and has endured a similar fate in the Middle East, with reports suggesting he is set for another move this summer.   

It has been reported that Nunez has reached an agreement to join Trabzonspor on loan, which would, of course, see him reunite with former Liverpool stalwart Mohamed Salah.