Liverpool have completed an early window move to sign Osasuna forward Victor Munoz, who is on international duty with Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Reds hijacked a Newcastle United move for a forward for the second successive window after last summer’s poaching of Hugo Ekitike by triggering Munoz’s €40m (£34.6m) release clause.
Unfortunately, Munoz has picked up an injury at Spain’s training camp in Tennessee. Spanish outlet Cadena Ser (via Sport Witness) reports: “This injury to Víctor Munoz comes at the worst possible time. It completely disrupts his rhythm just as he was beginning to compete on equal terms with his teammates. [The injury] causes a disruption to the planning for the match against Saudi Arabia.”
Munoz will hopefully recover from the muscle injury in time to feature at the World Cup after being an unused substitute in Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their opening group stage clash.
La Liga expert identifes area Munoz needs to improve in at Liverpool
BBC Sport quotes La Liga expert Phil Minshull as highlighting a potential flaw in Munoz’s style of play, although it’s certainly something Andoni Iraola can coach him into improving.
Minshull said: “He [Munoz] is an outstanding young talent. He’s one of the pearls of Spanish football.
“He’s a very strong, right-footed attacking winger. He can play both sides. He’s very robust. Very physical. He challenges defenders.
“One question mark over his technical abilities is his passing as he only got two assists in the whole of last season. But he does take on defenders, and he provides all sorts of challenges for them pulling players in his direction and opening up space for the other forwards.
“He can play either side of the park and that makes him a valuable asset depending on the resources of the rest of the team.
“Also, he’s always tracking back and he’s a strong tackler so he’s supporting the defenders as well. There’s no question marks over his work rate.”
This season, Munoz scored seven goals and provided five assists. While not exactly a mindblowing return, it’s worth noting that Osasuna finished 17th, losing five games in succession without Munoz at the end of the La Liga season.