The heartwarming reason Ronald Araujo has chosen the No.33 shirt at Liverpool

New Liverpool signing Ronald Araujo has chosen the number 33 shirt at Anfield, and there is a heartwarming reason behind that decision.

Just days after Liverpool struck a surprise agreement with Barcelona for Araujo, the centre-back was officially unveiled as Andoni Iraola's player on Monday evening.

Joining winger Victor Munoz - who was captured in a £34.5 million deal from Osasuna earlier this summer - Araujo becomes the Reds' second signing of the transfer window.

The aggressive Uruguayan international has joined on a season-long loan from Barca, and there is an option for the deal to become permanent for €55m (£47.14m) at the end of the campaign.

Araujo arrives at Anfield during a time of desperation for Andoni Iraola, who has been devastated by injuries to several of his defenders.

Joe Gomez picked up a muscle injury during their 4-2 pre-season victory over Sunderland at the end of last month and will miss the start of the Premier League season.

Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are both still sidelined with injuries, too, meaning Virgil van Dijk was Iraola's only senior option in that position before Araujo's arrival.

The 27-year-old is now in line to make his unofficial debut against Como on August 16 before hoping to start against Newcastle United a week later as Liverpool kick off their Premier League season at St James' Park.

Unsurprisingly, the 27-cap Uruguay international is excited about making his mark in England's top flight after joining one of the division's biggest clubs.

“I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy,” Araujo told LFC TV after his signing was made official.

“I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history. I’m excited to meet my teammates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going.

“I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take. As soon as I heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly."

Ronald Araujo reveals reason behind selecting No.33 at Liverpool

A centre-back, who is also capable of slotting in at right-back, Araujo will offer much-needed versatility to Iraola's squad as he hopes to make a lasting impression.

The Barca loanee will occupy the No.33 shirt at Liverpool - last worn by Jordon Ibe in 2016 - with Jonjo Shelvey, Sebastian Leto and Neil Mellor also among those to have worn the number in the Premier League era.

Araujo wore the No.4 shirt at Barcelona, but that is, of course, occupied by Van Dijk. There is, however, a sentimental reason behind the No.33 and he has explained why in his first interview.

"It’s a number that I like, a number that is special to me. Funnily enough, way back when I made my debut as a professional, that was the number I was wearing back then.

“But it has a personal meaning for me as well, it has a meaning which is all to do with my faith and my relationship with Jesus and God and religion.

“It’s a subject I spoke about and had a good conversation about with my friends, my family, my partner and my parents. It’s a number I’m very pleased on a number of levels to be wearing.”