Sources: Liverpool's plan for Ronald Araujo purchase option revealed

Liverpool will not rush into triggering their purchase option for centre-back Ronald Araujo in January, sources have told Football Insider.

The Reds can seal a permanent deal for the Barcelona loanee for £47million, but will not evaluate their buy option until the end of the season.

Andoni Iraola is understood to be pleased with the contributions that the Uruguayan has made so far, but intends to evaluate his defensive options later in the campaign.

However, sources say that if Araujo continues in this vein of form, then Liverpool would be willing to sign him on a permanent deal.

The 27-year-old has brought elite-level experience to the Merseysiders' backline, and has even filled in at right-back when needed.

Araujo has started in Liverpool's last three games in all competitions, and is quickly becoming a key man for Iraola.

Liverpool playing for time with Ronald Araujo

Araujo only joined Liverpool in the final stages of the summer transfer window, but he is already establishing himself as a crucial part of their team.

The Reds are not blessed with a wealth of defensive options at the moment, and Iraola will continue to rely on him in the coming months.

The club's purchase option on the defender can be triggered at any time, but the current plan is for his situation to be assessed at the end of the season.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both out of contract next summer, when Liverpool intend to take stock and re-assess how they want their defence to look long-term.

Araujo could feature as part of those plans, provided that he continues to perform at such an impressive level.

Liverpool already have Virgil van Dijk replacement

Football Insider revealed on Monday that Liverpool intend to replace Van Dijk long-term with the younger players that they have picked up in recent years.

Jeremy Jacquet is making a name for himself at the moment, while the injured Giovanni Leoni is also viewed as a top future prospect.

Van Dijk's future remains in the balance heading into the expiry of his contract, but the club's future plan is ready to go for whenever he does depart.

The Dutchman has been a fantastic servant for the Anfield outfit, but it could soon be time for someone else to take up the mantle.