Victor Munoz has spoken for the first time as a Liverpool player after reporting for pre-season training following his part in Spain's World Cup triumph
New signing Victor Munoz of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre
New signing Victor Munoz of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre (Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
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Victor Munoz is hoping to make his Liverpool debut in Sunday’s Anfield pre-season friendly against Monaco as he explained his decision to cut short his summer holidays in order to link up with the Reds early.
The 23-year-old was an unused squad player for Spain as they won the World Cup last month, having seen Liverpool swoop in to sign him from Osasuna ahead of Newcastle United in a £34.5m deal in June. The winger reported to the AXA Training Centre for the first time on Wednesday for the start of his pre-season schedule - just two and a half weeks after Spain beat Argentina to lift the World Cup trophy in the MetLife Stadium.
Andoni Iraola has already confirmed that fellow World Cup finalist Alexis Mac Allister will not link up with his team-mates until after the Reds’ clash with Monaco. But having found himself on the sidelines with Spain during the summer, Munoz was itching to throw himself in and get started at his new club as soon as possible.
“Pre-season is well under way and I was at the World Cup when the decision came through about the transfer,” he said. “I was in a position where I couldn’t play in the team for Spain so as soon as that competition was over, the main thing on my agenda was getting here, training and getting to meet my teammates.
“Obviously, you need time to adapt when you are moving to a new club and a new country so for me it was a case of the earlier I could get started, the better.
“I feel good. I’m very keen to get on, to establish myself both in training and in playing. I was very keen to get here. With the training, I’m hoping to be able to have fun with my new family and bit by bit I’m sure they’re going to help me to get back to my top level.
“I had a great experience today (Wednesday) with my teammates for the first time. They’ve all been very helpful and several of those teammates set out for me in a very simple manner things like where to go, what we are going to do, how things work. And of course, I have had my first training session today with my teammates and the coach, and the class we had after the training session was very good and helpful also. So, I feel great.
“My teammates were very, very welcoming – that applies equally on the pitch and off. Everyone has been very helpful towards me and very welcoming. We had an intensive training session today. There was a lot to it, a lot of content, and I think as my first point of contact with the club, it bodes well for the future.
“I think I’m ready (to play). Obviously if the coach says so after training and asks me to feature in the starting XI, I’ll be there. I’m keen and I can’t wait to get started. [Against] Monaco, why not?”
Alexander Isak and Victor Munoz of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre
Alexander Isak and Victor Munoz of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
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Munoz had looked set to join Newcastle prior to Liverpool making their move for the Spaniard.
But he did not need to think twice about spurning the Magpies in favour of the Reds once they made their interest known, with the World Cup winner convinced Liverpool are the perfect fit for him as he looks forward to playing under compatriot Iraola.
“I discussed it with my family and straight away there were no doubts that it was a great move for me,” he told club media. “So, it went very, very quickly and I am very happy to be here.
“I’m sure it’s the correct step for me and this is exactly what the coach, Andoni [Iraola], said to me as well – that he was going to put a lot of confidence in me. He rightly pointed out that I am quite a young player, I’m here as a professional and he is going to help me. He is going to help me to develop, and develop within and for this great club and in this mythical stadium, Anfield.
“His style, it is well known already that he likes to play with open wingers on both sides and to build this constant and intense pressure, this overwhelming drive forward. So, I think that fits perfectly with my skillset, these are tools that I as a player also bring to the game, so I think it is a good fit for me and I hope to bring these skills to Liverpool.
“This club has got some real top-class, world-class players. I think that’s going to help me – it can only help me – in training and in matches to gear up to the tempo that comes with playing in the Premier League.
“There are no shocks to me but it’s something that is part of the adaptation and it can only go well for me.”