With the dawn of a new Premier League season just around the corner, Liverpool very much remain a work in progress.
Sunday's 3-2 capitulation in a friendly against Monaco was the second preseason game in a row -- after last week's 4-2 loss to Leeds United -- in which new manager Andoni Iraola's side surrendered a 2-0 goal lead to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, with their lack of defensive options laid ominously bare.
It's that glaring need for reinforcements at the back that has led Liverpool to make Barcelona captain Ronald Araújo their third signing of the summer, following the additions of center back Jérémy Jacquet and forward Víctor Muñoz for a combined fee of over €100 million. The club announced on Monday that Araújo has joined on a season-long loan which also includes an option to sign permanently for €55 million.
Sources have told ESPN that Liverpool will cover his wages for the duration of the campaign, however the defender has taken a pay cut to facilitate the move.