Liverpool sign Victor Munoz: profile of Osasuna dribbler from La Masia and Real Madrid

Michael Edwards is back at Liverpool and it showed: the club quickly signed Victor Munoz. The 22-year-old Spaniard comes over from Osasuna and is considered a dynamic, versatile attacker.

Background and education Munoz went through Barcelona's youth academy (La Masia) and then moved to Real Madrid's academy. At Castilla he played with Nico Paz, Gonzalo García, Andrés Chema and Jacobo Ramón, among others. Last summer, Real Madrid sold him to Osasuna, where he took the next step.

Figures with context At first glance, 12 goal contributions in all competitions does not seem like a mouth-watering transfer for a 22-year-old. But Osasuna struggled offensively: the team was 16th in La Liga last season in terms of expected goals and had the fourth lowest average with 47% ball possession. In such an environment it is difficult for attackers to excel in pure output. Yet Munoz recorded 0.25 expected goals per 90 minutes – not bad for a team in the lower regions – and his ability to ball and dribbling particularly stood out. Only Lamine Yamal (6.15 per 90) and Vinícius Júnior (7.80 per 90) made more progressive dribbles last season than Munoz (4.67 per 90). While Yamal and Vinícius started higher on the pitch, Munoz often had to come through from a deeper position and initiate attacks with his running and dribbling actions.


Player profile Munoz is fast, low to the ground and physically strong on the hips: difficult to get off the ball, comfortable with both feet and dangerous in small spaces and in transition. Without the ball he hunts tirelessly and constantly makes runs to be playable. At Osasuna he mainly played as a left winger, but also regularly on the right and centrally. Previously at Real Madrid Castilla he was mainly used as a right winger and centre-forward; In his last season he even wore the shirt number 9. According to the latest update from Ben Jacobs, he can effortlessly cover the entire vanguard.

Transfer logic Liverpool With Hugo Ekitike's injury, the source said it was important to sign an attacker who can play in all three positions. Matías Fernández-Pardo was considered an alternative, but Lille wanted around £70 million. Liverpool signed Munoz – estimated by the source to have a similar talent level – for around half of that.

In short: Liverpool has acquired a versatile and energetic attacker in Victor Munoz who, despite limited statistical output at a struggling Osasuna, impressed with progressive dribbling and ball progression. A profile that fits the pragmatic, data-driven course that made Edwards successful in the past.

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