Victor Munoz arrives at Liverpool fuelled by the taste of success and a desire to achieve more.
The club’s new No.23 trained with his Reds teammates for the first time on Wednesday, fresh from becoming a World Cup winner with Spain.
Munoz completed his transfer to Anfield from Osasuna in June and enjoyed a short break following his role as a squad member with his country this summer.
Part of the forward’s first day at the AXA Training Centre involved sitting down for a welcome interview with Liverpoolfc.com – and you can watch or read the chat in full below.
Victor, welcome to Liverpool. We have to start by saying congratulations because you arrive here as a World Cup winner. How does that feel? Has it sunk in yet, what you achieved earlier this summer?
It was an unforgettable experience out there at the World Cup. It was something I had dreamed of from a very young age and to be honest, something I never thought I would experience in my life. However, I’m very conscious that that is behind me now and I come here full of intention for Liverpool FC.
It feels like your transfer was announced a long time ago now, but this is the first time we’ve had chance to talk with you. How does it feel to be a Liverpool player?
The truth is I feel very good. I had a great experience today 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.
Your move here seemed to happen very quickly. Can you just explain how it unfolded from your point of view?
Yeah, it was a very quick process. Obviously, when it arose I was out there at the World Cup with the Spain squad so I couldn’t take any time away to come over to Liverpool to set things in stone here. But obviously I discussed it with my family and straight away there were no doubts that it was a great move for me. So, it went very, very quickly and I am very happy to be here.
You say that there were no doubts once you knew Liverpool were interested. Why is this the right club for the next stage of your career?
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.
Do you think the head coach’s style of football is well suited to your attributes as a player?
I think so. 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.
You’re now at the start of pre-season and the head coach told us that you’d decided to cut your holiday short to come here earlier than you had to. Why did you make that decision?
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 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.
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We’re talking straight after your first training session as a Liverpool player – how was that?
It was a very good session we had today. I said in my previous answer that 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.
We know there are so many top-class players in this squad, so do you feel that training and playing alongside them will help take your game to another level?
Of course. 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.
You mentioned before that you didn’t get any minutes at the World Cup, but you were obviously training every day while you were there. How do you feel fitness-wise after what was quite a short holiday?
I feel good. I’m very keen to get on, to establish myself both in training and in playing. As you say, [there were] good training [sessions] for me in the United States during the Spain camp and I want now to keep up with that rhythm. 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.
Do you feel ready to get some minutes in the friendly against AS Monaco at Anfield on Sunday?
Well, I think I’m ready. 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?
Something players often say is that when you get the taste of winning a trophy – and you’ve just lifted the biggest one of all – it makes you hungrier to win and feel that feeling again. Is that something you now understand?
Of course, totally I agree. I come here full of ambition. I have a lot to give to the team and I’m sure the team are going to help bring out the best in me. So, that’s my intention – to provide everything I can to Liverpool and help fulfil ambitions.
Finally, there will be a lot of supporters watching and reading this interview. What would your message to them be?
I want to thank everyone so far at the club for the welcome. As I mentioned, it’s been great and been very helpful. I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans in the stadium. I hope they can rely on me to provide them with a lot of entertaining football.
