Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about his plans for Liverpool when speaking at his opening press conference. “We have to be a team that works hard, intense and aggressive.” That shift in approach is embodied by Victor Munoz. The 23-year-old winger signed from Osasuna this summer in a ÂŁ34.5m deal to help overhaul the squad’s identity.
Munoz made that explicit himself when asked why Iraola had decided to bring him to Anfield. “My directness, the way that I try to break open the matches, the way I press and try to suffocate the opposition,” Munoz said in a recent interview with El Pais. “Those are the qualities he looks for in a winger, and they were a big reason why he made the decision.”
There was a glimpse of that in his first game for the club, a pre-season fixture against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday. Munoz, in one of his first actions, left his full-back trailing as he darted down the wing towards the Kop. It was an encouraging cameo off the bench.
A Shift in Philosophy
Out of possession, there is absolute clarity over what Iraola demands of his forwards. That was evident at Bournemouth, where winger Marcus Tavernier won possession of the ball more times in the final third of the pitch than any Liverpool player last season. Evanilson and Junior Kroupi were also among the top 30 on that list.
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It is fundamental to Iraola’s philosophy. His Bournemouth side ranked among the top two teams in the Premier League for sprints in each of his three seasons in charge. In essence, it is why he is here. To combat the passiveness that had infected Liverpool’s play under Arne Slot and had aggravated sections of the support.
But a change of approach comes not just through ideology but by changing the personnel on the pitch. The 34-year-old version of Mohamed Salah could not be that kind of player any longer. Maybe Munoz can. He won possession in the final third of the pitch on 22 occasions in LaLiga last season. Only six players did so more.
This tactical pivot represents a significant gamble on physical output over technical refinement. While the previous regime favored control and structure, Iraola seems willing to trade defensive stability for chaotic, high-energy pressing in advanced areas. It mirrors the transition many historical title winners undergo when shifting from a mature squad to one driven by raw athleticism.
An Unconventional Path
Munoz is an interesting player. In some respects, his pedigree is outstanding. He was trained at Barcelona’s famed academy from 2014 to 2017, alongside names such as Fermin Lopez, Alejandro Balde and Xavi Simons. La Masia provided the foundations. Later, it was Real Madrid that provided the finishing school.
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Munoz worked his way through the various development teams, eventually making his LaLiga debut last year by coming on as a late replacement for Vinicius Junior against Barcelona. But in another sense, Munoz is atypical. He was at Barcelona, but he was released. He made it to Real Madrid, but he had to leave for Osasuna to get his opportunity.
“Not the typical extroverted footballer” is how Carlos Domenech, an adviser at CF Damm, describes him. Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s World Cup winning coach, has praised his humility. “It is the best way to grow.”
Munoz doing it at Osasuna, a relatively unfancied side from Pamplona, makes his name among the elite on some of the metrics only more impressive. Three players in LaLiga completed more dribbles last season: Lamine Yamal, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe. In terms of corners won, there were only three names ahead of him, and they all played for the big two clubs in Spain.
The Finishing Touch
When it comes to progressive carries of 10 metres or more, getting his team up the pitch, Vinicius was the only attacker who did it more. It paints a picture of a player who can make a difference, bringing more pace and drive to Liverpool’s game in the opposition half.
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Yet, Munoz will need to adapt. That cannot be denied. At Osasuna, he was afforded a certain freedom. He ranked among the top 10 for shots but outside the top 40 for goals. This reflects the fact that many of his attempts came from distance or from tight angles.
An expected goals per shot of just 7.2 per cent is far lower than, say, Hugo Ekitike (15.2 per cent), Florian Wirtz (13.8 per cent) or Salah (12.0 per cent). At Liverpool, there will be more chances but more passing options too. He will need to make better decisions.
But the message implicit in the words of both Munoz and Iraola is that Liverpool need to adapt to him too. “I talked to the staff about the things that are working well and the things we can do differently,” said Iraola. “I wouldn’t say better, I would say differently.”
There is clearly an appetite at Liverpool for a return to the rock-and-roll football that Salah himself referenced in what will be remembered as his exit speech. Iraola’s job now is to deliver that football at Anfield. He has brought in Munoz to help him do it.