Liverpool's first summer signing Victor Munoz has enjoyed a very successful summer with Spain with his arrival at Anfield to be delayed
Victor Munoz celebrates winning the World Cup with Spain
New Liverpool signing Victor Munoz won the World Cup with Spain(Image: (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
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Victor Munoz will arrive to Liverpool as a world champion after Spain beat Argentina on Sunday. The 23-year-old officially became Andoni Iraola's first signing toward the start of the tournament and he will now head to Anfield full of confidence.
That is despite the fact that he was an unused substitute by Luis de la Fuente in all of their eight World Cup games. For Liverpool, that is arguably the dream scenario with Munoz unlikely to be fatigued but having trained alongside elite players.
Despite not featuring, it was pretty clear from photos taken during the tournament that Munoz is a key part of the squad and he will undoubtedly have a role to play in future tournaments. Liverpool will be hoping he can have a domestic impact as well having paid Osasuna £35million to sign him.
First however, he will have a four-week break that is the minimum requirement which will see him back available in mid-August, seven days before the Reds' Premier League season starts away at Newcastle.
That specific fixture is arguably the worst possible one for Munoz considering that Liverpool hijacked the Magpies' deal to sign him.
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12 months ago, hostilities between the two clubs grew significantly during the Alexander Isak saga as he moved between the two just a few weeks before their clash at St James' Park.
The Swedish striker was unavailable for the game due to fitness issues but looks likely to be involved against his former club with a full pre-season under his belt.
He is, however, among the first-team stars that have not been officially named in Liverpool's 31-man squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Alexander Isak during a Sweden game
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak played at the World Cup with Sweden
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Having been knocked out of the World cup at the round of 32 stage, Isak is expected to join up with the squad alongside Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch ahead of their game against Wrexham on Thursday, July 30. Alisson Becker could also be back for the final match against Leeds United.
Iraola's side then face Monaco and Como in August at Anfield with Munoz potentially back in training ahead of the latter.
He will almost certainly not feature with World Cup finalist Alexis Mac Allister expected to be slowly reintroduced especially having struggled with the busy fixture schedule last season.
The 27-year-old missed just 61 minutes out of a possible 810 with Argentina forced to play extra-time three times. Following defeat to Spain, Mac Allister was visibly distraught on the pitch.