New Liverpool signing Victor Munoz is targeting a swift debut after cutting short his summer break to report for duty. The former Osasuna winger was part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup for the second time in the United States last month, though he did not make an appearance during the tournament as he battled an injury issue.
Munoz was still entitled to the mandatory three-week holiday for players involved at the finals, which would have seen him arrive to begin his Liverpool career later in August. However, the 23-year-old has decided to forego the latter part of that break in order to hit the ground running with his new club, where he trained for the first time on Wednesday having shrugged off those lingering fitness problems.
Early arrival explained
Explaining his decision to show up early during a first interview with Liverpool's official website, Munoz said: “Obviously, pre-season is well under way and I was at the World Cup when the decision came through about the transfer.”
“I was in a position there 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 team-mates. 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.”
Munoz remains the Reds' only new arrival of the summer so far, after his £34.5million release clause at LaLiga club Osasuna was triggered in a surprise move in June following heavy links to Newcastle. French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has also joined from Rennes, though that £60m deal was finalised back during the January transfer window.
Ready for Anfield debut
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola will likely exercise caution when it comes to unleashing Munoz having had a threadbare squad to work with during pre-season so far, due to a combination of injuries, a lack of signings and extended breaks for other World Cup stars.
However, the player insists he is ready to make an immediate impact when Liverpool host Monaco in compatriot Iraola's first home match in charge at Anfield on Sunday, where the hosts will be looking to bounce back quickly from a second-half collapse against Leeds - during which they conceded all four goals in a 4-2 defeat - that saw their US tour finish on a sour note.
“Well, I think I’m ready,” Munoz said. “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?”
Asked why he felt that Liverpool was the right club for the next stage of his career, Munoz added: “I’m sure it’s the correct step for me and this is exactly what the coach, Andoni, 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.”
