Gary Neville has warned Liverpool attackers Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak that they must raise their performances and develop a nastier edge to justify their massive price tags following another disappointing display in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.
Both players started in the Premier League opener at St James' Park, but neither managed to shine. Wirtz was substituted after 63 minutes while Isak struggled against a backdrop of crowd vitriol in his first appearance back at his former club since his acrimonious exit last year.
The pair represent the two most expensive signings in Liverpool's history. Wirtz arrived for a £116 million fee that is only bettered by Isak's British record £125 million transfer. However, both endured underwhelming debut campaigns last season as Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League and relinquished their title to Arsenal.
Reflecting on their performances on the Gary Neville Podcast, the former Manchester United legend claimed the £240 million front pair are too nice and warned that enough is enough after watching them for 12 months without seeing sufficient progress.
Neville demands tenacity and higher output
"The big thing for Liverpool is they've got a quarter-of-a-billion-pound front-two, Isak and Wirtz, and bloody hell we've been kind to them," Neville said. "They are going to have to start playing soon or else to be fair they're going to get a lot of criticism. They're going to have to start delivering."
Neville added that both players need to add a nastier side to their game, highlighting Wirtz in particular for a lack of physical commitment. "For a start they're too nice and if you're going to be nice, you better be incredible at football," he said. "I don't see a tenacity in Wirtz in particular, Isak maybe a bit more, but in Wirtz I just see a nice player moving around the pitch, not really ever looking like he's busting a gut to do anything."
Expanding on Wirtz's tactical role, Neville urged the German playmaker to sharpen up and redefine his position on the pitch to start producing more goals and assists. "You have players that are more graceful that just flow around the pitch, like Ozil and Havertz, but I want to put a rocket up him," Neville said.
Tactical changes requested for £116m playmaker
"There's ability and talent there and an understanding of his position," Neville continued. "Sometimes I think he moves too much and isn't close enough to his striker. Sometimes I don't think he understands where the game is going to be won and lost. I don't see him combining with Isak. So for me, and I've said this for 12 months, he drifts too much."
Neville outlined how Wirtz must adjust his movement to get the best out of Isak. "I just feel like Wirtz has got to think about being involved in the build-up less, he's got to think about being a second striker rather than a third midfield player, and has got to think about his output and what he needs to do, which is feed Isak with little passes and down the side of centre backs," he explained.
Despite his firm criticism, Neville stressed that he retains faith in both players because of their proven quality. "They've got to improve. I'm laying it on them now as I've watched them for 12 months but I have faith in them," Neville said. "I think Isak is an exceptional player. I never saw anyone give Gabriel and Saliba, or Van Dijk and Konate, a tougher time than he did when he was at Newcastle, so I've seen him be devastating."
Frustration over substitution and urgency for improvement
However, Neville warned that Liverpool's coaching staff and teammates need to see results immediately given the financial investment involved. "Liverpool's team-mates and coaches need to see that because it's £125m, and Wirtz needs to sort himself out," he added. "Enough is enough now. He's young and come into a different country and I can see a real player there, but we can't keep watching this stuff. He's been subbed after an hour and they need a goal. That's not right. The biggest disappointment for me is those two."
Neville enjoyed a distinguished playing career as a defender for Manchester United, winning eight Premier League titles before establishing himself as one of football's leading television analysts. His comparison referenced former Arsenal playmakers Mesut Ozil and Kai Havertz, while noting how Isak previously troubled Arsenal defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, alongside Liverpool central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Wirtz and Isak will have an opportunity to let their feet do the talking when Liverpool return to Premier League action at the weekend. Liverpool host Nottingham Forest in Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off.
