With several top teams looking to add quality in wide areas ahead of the 2026/27 season, Victor Munoz was expected to be a hot property this summer.
The youngster enjoyed a superb season with Osasuna, and his fine performances earned him a spot in Spain’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After Anthony Gordon sealed his move to Barcelona relatively early in the transfer window, Newcastle had reportedly earmarked Munoz as his replacement.
However, Liverpool swooped in at the last minute to sign the winger on Thursday, June 18, triggering his €40 million buyout clause.
A phone call from new Reds boss Andoni Iraola was reportedly crucial in turning the tide.
After Liverpool beat Newcastle to his signature, attention quickly turned to what Munoz could bring to Anfield.
As supporters analysed clips of the winger’s performances, many noticed uncanny similarities to former Liverpool favourite Craig Bellamy.
“He runs exactly like Craig Bellamy”, a fan posted to X, linking clips of the players to prove their point.
The way both wingers make marauding sprints with their head down definitely prompt close comparisons between the pair.
In addition to their stylistic comparisons, another supporter stated the two players also had plenty in common in terms of their physical characteristics, citing Munoz’s “strong trap muscular build”.
Another fan joked that the pair looked alike because Munoz has seemingly “got no neck”.
In his prime, Craig Bellamy was known for his pace, directness and relentless pressing, and those qualities are obviously apparent in Munoz’s play style as well.
These comparisons are particularly intriguing because the aforementioned traits made the Welshman a valuable asset during his time at Liverpool.
Bellamy made 79 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, during two separate spells with the club (2006–2007 and 2011–2012). He scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists, winning one major honour in the form of the 2011/12 Carling Cup.
While he was not considered a superstar by any means, Bellamy offered the underrated quality of being a highly effective, high-energy squad player, which made him a fan-favourite at Anfield.
With 7 goals and 5 assists last season, Munoz has already demonstrated an ability to influence matches consistently.
Should he be able to translate his Bellamy-like qualities to the Premier League, we could see him become an extremely influential figure for Iraola’s high-intensity approach at Anfield.
