Liverpool forward Victor Munoz has admitted he is still processing his move to Anfield, revealing the frustration he felt at being unable to feature in Spain's World Cup-winning campaign due to injury. The 23-year-old, who joined the Reds during the summer tournament after Liverpool activated his £34.5m release clause at Osasuna, has enjoyed a bright start to his Premier League career, scoring on his full debut against Nottingham Forest in August.
Munoz won his third international cap and made his competitive debut for Spain off the bench in their 4-1 Nations League victory over Croatia earlier this week. He could be handed his first international start against Czechia on Saturday, with Luis de la Fuente expected to rotate his squad during the expanded September/October international break, which sees European teams play four Nations League matches.
'Everything happened so fast'
Speaking at a press conference, Munoz said the whirlwind nature of his summer has been a positive, as he continues to adapt to English football while also benefitting from the move to the Premier League.
“I think the fact that everything happened so fast hasn't given me time to fully process it, and I think that's good for both me and my family,” he said. “You try to enjoy every moment and every stage. Right now, I'm in a good moment both at Liverpool and here with the national team, and I'm focused on the next match.
“I think that when you go abroad, you get other perspectives, just like when you're here at home, but I think Spanish players are always valued wherever they are. I really like following La Liga. I do notice quite a few differences compared to the Premier League. La Liga is much more tactical, while Premier League matches are much more physical. Where I notice the biggest difference compared to past years is the intensity of the training sessions and all that physical work. Honestly, it's very demanding over there and it's helping me grow.”
Learning from Lamine Yamal
Munoz is one of eight forwards in Spain's 26-man squad for the current international break and was left out of the matchday squad for their opener against England. With competition for places out wide from the likes of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, he faces a tough task to break into the starting XI, but he is relishing training alongside Yamal.
“The truth is I try to learn a lot from him,” he said of Yamal. “He's a good friend of mine who is with me day-to-day. We share many moments together and being able to have that competition, being able to see him train every day, is honestly a full privilege for me. And not just from him, but being able to learn from all the players on the team. That really helps me a lot in my daily work.
“I try to work every day, contribute my grain of sand, try to improve my game. With that work and consistency - which I think characterises me - I will always try to take a step forward, always ready in whatever role helps the team. Being able to play any match with this national team, whether starting or coming off the bench, is incredible.
“Just how I am on the pitch (is what De La Fuente has asked of me). Trying to help the team both offensively and defensively, trying to be direct, going one-on-one... basically what I think my strengths are, putting them at the service of the team. I don't know what intentions the coach has, but everyone is training well, eager to play, and it will be a complicated match (against Czechia), but whoever plays will surely do very well.
“Playing with them gives you so many advantages; you have so many players nearby to combine with, and I think that enhances my football and helps me. I felt very good and was left wanting more (against Croatia), looking forward to the next match, coming to train today. I'm excited and waiting for the next game.”
Mixed emotions at World Cup
Reflecting on his summer, Munoz admitted to mixed emotions at being unable to play in the World Cup, but after making his competitive debut for Spain, he is hungry for more.
“Look, it was a lot of mixed emotions,” he said. “Just going to a World Cup is a dream, and winning it with this family is incredible. But as you say, I had tough moments. You spend a season doing things well, you get the reward of going to the World Cup, and then you feel your body can't give any more and doesn't reach that match.
“It keeps relapsing, things drag on, and you never feel 100% at any point in the tournament. But you try to take the positives: I learned a lot, I learned to know my body - when you're young, you often think you can handle everything. In that sense, it helped me mature. Being able to live that experience with my family and friends is something I'll keep forever, along with the joy of having won it.
“It's always incredible to debut in this competition, the Nations League, with Spain. Representing your country in any match or competition is amazing. It's true that all those difficult moments you went through come back to your mind - like at the World Cup when you didn't feel right. But now I'm in a good moment, both here and at Liverpool, eager for the next match to arrive and to hopefully get more minutes.”
