Liverpool’s pursuit of much-needed summer reinforcements moved a small step forward on Wednesday as new signing Victor Muñoz officially reported for duty at the AXA Training Centre, taking the vacant No. 23 shirt ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The 22-year-old winger was secured in a £34.5m deal from Osasuna in June, but his arrival on Merseyside was delayed due to his involvement in Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in North America.
While squad number allocations are standard pre-season procedure, the assignment of the No. 23 shirt carries notable weight at Anfield. Previously worn by Luis Díaz prior to his switch to No. 7, the jersey boasts a lineage that includes Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Emre Can, and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Victor is in the building ? pic.twitter.com/qV4MfX994M
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2026
Yet for all the symbolic optimism surrounding Muñoz’s unveiling, his arrival underlines the glaring disparity between Liverpool’s current squad construction and the scale of the task facing new head coach Andoni Iraola.
A squad stretched thin
With slightly over two weeks remaining before Liverpool open their Premier League campaign at St James’ Park, the squad remains severely depleted following the departures of senior figures Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, and Andy Robertson.
Sporting director Richard Hughes closed the agreement for Muñoz during the World Cup group stage six weeks ago. However, despite clear weaknesses across the pitch most urgently at right-back, centre-back, and further across the frontline he remains the club’s sole summer acquisition.
Premier League rivals, by contrast, have acted with far greater speed and efficiency in addressing key positions.
Muñoz’s versatility offers immediate tactical utility. Equally comfortable operating across the frontline, the former Osasuna man provides dynamic pace and high-intensity pressing off either flank traits aligned with Iraola’s system.
His immediate focus, however, will be building match sharpness. Muñoz has not featured in a competitive fixture since mid-May, having failed to play a single minute during Spain’s World Cup run due to a lingering injury issue.
Early return and squad integration
Under FIFA regulations, players involved in summer international tournaments are entitled to a minimum three-week break. However, Muñoz opted to truncate his mandatory rest period by half a week in an effort to accelerate his adaptation in the Northwest.
He joined up with the first team on Wednesday following their return from a pre-season tour of the United States, greeting fellow countryman Stefan Baj?eti? and defender Giovanni Leoni before undergoing routine physical assessments.
Back at the AXA Training Centre ? pic.twitter.com/ANAc1BnAmg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2026
“He wanted also to come a little bit earlier than the three weeks that they have the right to have, because obviously he is coming to a new club, he will need some time to adapt, to meet his teammates,”
Iraola explained last week.
With Alisson returning on Tuesday alongside Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister is the only remaining senior player yet to report back.
Liverpool are continuing background work on further attacking targets including PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye but time is pressing.
Should Muñoz pass his upcoming fitness tests, his decision to report early may well earn him a starting berth against Newcastle on the opening day out of pure necessity.
