Andoni Iraola made personal Victor Munoz gesture that sparked Liverpool transfer hijack

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Victor Munoz has made the stunning transfer switch to Liverpool, after seeming set to join Newcastle, with Andoni Iraola helping get a deal pushed through.Andoni Iraola pushed for Liverpool to sign Victor Munoz(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola played a huge role in securing a deal for Victor Munoz this summer, using his position to great effect to lure the target to Anfield.All things had pointed towards the 22-year-old joining Newcastle United, as the Magpies identified him as an ideal replacement for Anthony Gordon, following his switch to Barcelona.While that pursuit was public and drawn out, Liverpool's was far stealthier and wrapped up quickly, as the club pushed to hijack the move from its Premier League rivals.The $46 million release clause was triggered, and from there, all things went as planned for the Reds. A six-year deal was signed, and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Munoz was a Liverpool player.While the move developed quickly, in the background, those at Anfield who were involved in the deal had clearly put a lot of effort in to convince the Spain international that it was the right move to make this summer.So much so, that The Athletic claims that new head coach Iraola was one of the driving forces behind the move on both sides of the deal.It's reported that the manager held talks with the sporting director, Richard Hughes, when it was decided that Munoz would be a target as part of the squad planning for the summer transfer window.From there, it's claimed that Iraola held a phone conversation with Munoz earlier in the week to discuss the possibility of joining Liverpool, as well as setting out his plan in detail.It was quite the gesture, one that the Spanish coach followed up on with several other calls, while those close to Osasuna believe that it was the turning point in the transfer from being in Newcastle's hands to Liverpool's.Victor Munoz has a huge choice to make over his shirt number at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images))It shows Iraola's work in helping get deals over the line already, as he looks to get a roster of players equipped to play his style of soccer from the first kick of the new season.Munoz joins Jeremy Jacquet in being a young arrival with plenty of potential, with some hope that the extra energy will bring a sense of freshness to Liverpool for the coming campaign."You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool.

Liverpool is Liverpool," the manager said to the official Liverpool website upon joining the club, something that has shown in the ability to attract Munoz to Anfield.“But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this.

It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start.”He has certainly made a quick start, getting involved in deals that many think can put Liverpool that step closer to competing at the top again.