Araujo says Liverpool helped him rediscover his love for football after a difficult period, admitting that Liverpool gave him everything he needed to revive his career after what he described as a “very difficult” last season.

The Uruguayan joined Liverpool on loan from Barcelona in August and quickly established himself at Anfield.

He has featured in all seven matches under Iraola so far, becoming the new manager’s preferred choice at right-back. However, his resurgence on Merseyside follows a tough period at both club and national team levels.

Midway through last season, Araujo took a month-long break for mental adjustment after facing heavy criticism, followed by injuries that kept him sidelined, and Uruguay’s early exit from the World Cup.

The 27-year-old insisted he didn’t need to prove anything to anyone after joining Liverpool, but he admitted that the club helped him overcome his previous slump.

“Honestly, I’m very happy here at Liverpool, and I feel really comfortable,” Araujo said. “From the very first moment I arrived, they made me feel at ease.

“My teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans – they made me feel at home from the start. That’s very important. It gives you confidence to perform on the pitch and give your all.

“I’m really happy with how things are going right now. I’m just going to keep working hard like this, and hopefully it will be a very good season for us.

“I don’t do things to respond to others or to prove anything to anyone.

“I know my worth, I know what I have, and I know what I can do as a player, and I’m very confident about that. I just enjoy playing football.

“Now I have the stability I’ve always wanted, and I also know what I can achieve on the field when I have this continuity and confidence.

“That’s where I am right now. I’m enjoying playing football, doing what I love most, and the fruits of my labor will be evident here. I’m an extremely hard worker, and the results will reflect that effort.”

Araujo returned for Uruguay during the expanded international break, starting two of three friendly matches against Japan and South Korea. Previously, a muscle injury had prevented him from playing in the summer’s World Cup.

Uruguay was ultimately eliminated in the group stage, and he could only watch from the bench as it unfolded. This disappointment followed his complete absence from the 2022 World Cup due to injury and his inclusion as an unused substitute in the 2021 Copa América squad.

The defender made his national team comeback under new coach Diego Forlán. He also spoke about how difficult it was when his World Cup dream was cut short by injury once again, and addressed the criticism he faced last season.

In an interview with AUFTV, Araujo stated: “Honestly, I’m doing very well, very, very well, and I’m happy to be back here with the Uruguay national team. It’s always great to come here and be with the national team, represent the country, and spend time with my teammates. So I’m very happy and glad to be starting this new phase.

“I’ll be very frank. To be honest, getting injured at the World Cup was really tough. It was difficult for me and my family. Families also bear the brunt of all this, and in the end, those were two very important tournaments that I couldn’t participate in.

“It was tough, really tough. Because you put so much effort into all of it, to be with the national team, to experience one of the best stages as a player.

“But it was really hard not to achieve all of that. In the end, you give everything, you fight with all your might to be there, but it didn’t happen again.

“It hurt me a lot, and maybe I can sometimes understand the doubts and criticism from outside. Whatever happens, I can understand it, because after all, this is our job.

“I won’t tell you I agree with the criticism, because when you’re criticized, you never agree. But from a personal perspective, I also take responsibility for not being there. I truly feel that, and it bothers me a lot.

“But these are things that happen in life, and life is a bit like that. You encounter those difficulties, and you have to learn to overcome them, look forward, and keep working.

“I know what I can bring to the national team. I firmly believe that a very beautiful phase is coming. I’m not just talking about this team, but for myself as well.

“I believe I will bring a lot of joy to my country and my family. After all, I am Uruguayan, and I feel that very deeply. I love my country.

“I firmly believe I will bring them a lot of joy. And I will work for that. I will work harder than ever to achieve it, to give everything I want to give, and to pursue the dream every player has.

“I can bring them one of the greatest honors. I will give my all, put my heart and soul into it, to be there, and to win titles.”

Araujo continued: “We are fortunate to be able to do what we love most, and that also gives me the motivation to keep going, to keep enjoying everything, despite the difficulties of getting back on your feet.

“Not just in football, but in life too. Fall down, get up, try again. For us Uruguayans, it’s already in our blood. Get up, try again, never give up.

“That’s what I want to bring into my life and my career. I’ve always worked that way. In the end, despite the difficulties, I always smile and firmly believe that the best is yet to come. I have no doubt that the best is yet to come.”