Victor Munoz is ready to banish his World Cup frustration and play a key role for Liverpool this season.
The 23-year-old was a member of Spain’s victorious squad in the United States, Canada and Mexico but did not play a single minute with coach Luis de la Fuente preferring different options down the left side of his attack.
And while Munoz was pleased to have been a part of such a momentous occasion for his country, he is now relishing the chance to play for his new club side having joined the Merseysiders from Osasuna in June.
He linked up with the squad this week and could make an appearance against Monaco on Sunday.
He told the club’s official website: “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.
“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.”
Liverpool will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Leeds in the final game of their pre-season tour of the United States, the Reds squandering a 2-0 half-time lead.
New boss Andoni Iraola, who will take charge of Liverpool at Anfield for the first time this weekend, will have been alarmed by his side’s defensive display and has moved to address the lack of central defensive cover by agreeing a season-long loan deal for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
Monaco arrive under Filipe Luís, the former Chelsea and Atlético Madrid full-back who took over in June on the back of a Copa Libertadores win with Flamengo. The Principality club have had their own uneven pre-season, beating Getafe and lower-league Saint-Priest either side of a draw with Cercle Brugge and a defeat to Sporting CP.
Team news for Liverpool v Monaco
Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo all return to the squad having missed the tour of the United States, though Alexis Mac Allister remains on his post-World Cup break. Jeremy Jacquet is a doubt while Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are all unavailable. Trey Nyoni is expected to start in midfield, with Muñoz likely to be introduced from the bench given his lack of preparation with the group.
Monaco have former Premier League pair Folarin Balogun and Eric Dier available, with Filipe Luís planning to build his attack around Balogun this season. Maghnes Akliouche has already left for Paris Saint-Germain, and Paul Pogba is yet to feature for Monaco in any of their pre-season matches so far.
Expected line-ups for Liverpool v Monaco
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Ndukwe, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Isak
Monaco: Hradecky; Vanderson, Sane, Dier, Nazinho; Camara, Cabral; Abline, Golovin, Detourbet; Balogun
How to watch Liverpool v Monaco: TV and online streams
Liverpool versus Monaco kicks off on Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm. It is not being televised but you can stream it on All Red Video (annual subscription £42.99).
Stats for Liverpool v Monaco
- Liverpool and Monaco have met twice before, in the 2004-05 Champions League group stage, with each side winning once.
- Liverpool have won two of their three pre-season friendlies so far, beating Sunderland and Wrexham before a 4-2 defeat to Leeds in which they surrendered a two-goal lead.
- Monaco finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season, qualifying for the Conference League
Prediction for Liverpool v Monaco
Liverpool’s defensive wobble against Leeds will concern Iraola, but a home crowd and a stronger available squad should be enough to see off a Monaco side still finding its feet under a new head coach.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Monaco
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
