Gary Neville has not shied away from expressing his disappointment with Liverpool's high‑priced attacking duo, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, after their underwhelming performances in the opening match of the season at St James' Park. The former England international, speaking on his podcast, said the club has been "kind" to the two players, who together cost more than £200 million, but warned that kindness will run out quickly if they do not start delivering results. Neville reminded listeners that both Wirtz and Isak arrived with lofty expectations after shining at Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United respectively, yet their first league appearance for the Reds fell short of the promise shown during pre‑season friendlies under new manager Andoni Iraola. In the match, Isak completed the full 90 minutes, marking his first return to St James' Park since his record‑breaking transfer last summer.
Despite the personal milestone, his contribution was limited, and Liverpool fell behind early. Wirtz, on the other hand, was taken off after just over an hour of play, replaced by Alexis Mac Allister as the team trailed 2‑1.
Both forwards had impressed fans during the summer tour, where they displayed flair and goal‑scoring instincts, but that optimism evaporated once the competitive whistle blew. Neville summed up his frustration, saying: "The big thing for Liverpool is they've got this quarter‑of‑a‑billion‑pound front two, Isak and Wirtz, and bloody hell, we've been kind to them.
They're going to have to start playing sooner or later or else, to be fair, they're going to get quite a lot of criticism. For a start, they're too nice, and if you're going to be nice, you'd better be incredible at football." He went on to single out Wirtz, noting a lack of visible tenacity: "I don't see the tenacity in Wirtz in particular.
I just see a nice player moving around the pitch, not really ever looking like he's busting a gut to do anything." Neville did, however, acknowledge the raw talent each player possesses. "I want to put a rocket up him because there's ability there, there's talent there, the understanding of his position," he said, referring to Wirtz's technical gifts. He also praised Isak's physical presence, recalling his dominant displays at Newcastle: "I never saw anybody give Gabriel and Saliba or Van Dijk and Konate a tougher time as Isak did when he played at Newcastle in a black and white shirt.
I've seen him be devastating." Despite the sharp criticism, Neville stressed that he still believes both men can turn things around. He reminded listeners that he has watched them for a full year and maintains faith in their potential: "I've watched them both for 12 months, and I do actually have faith in them. I think Isak's an exceptional player and we've seen it. Now Liverpool fans and his teammates and coaching staff, they need to see that – because that's £125 m they've spent on him.
And then Wirtz, he needs to sort himself out. Enough's enough now, we've talked about him enough. He's young and he's come to a different country – and I'm all for willing him on." Neville also highlighted the context of their struggles.
Isak missed much of the previous season through injury, and the departure of former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (referred to as Arne Slot in the transcript, a likely mix‑up) left him without the system that had suited him. Wirtz, meanwhile, is still adapting to life in England and to a new tactical environment. Neville warned that both have enjoyed a "free ride" so far and that the club can no longer afford patience: "They have both had a bit of a free ride. Obviously Isak was injured last season but Arne Slot loses his job, and Wirtz has played like that, so let's be clear, this has got me to start some real focus now." The former defender offered concrete tactical advice for Wirtz, urging him to abandon the roaming shadow‑striker role that had worked in pre‑season and to become a more direct second striker.
"Sometimes I think he moves around too much," Neville said. "Sometimes I don't think he's close enough to his striker, I don't think he understands where the game's going to be won and lost. The game's not going to be won out there, the game's not going to be won back there, the game's going to be won in the final third, in and around the box." He emphasized the need for quick, incisive passes to Isak, especially when opponents sit deep: "Combining with your striker, getting crosses in, getting little passes, getting little side passes down the side of the centre‑backs, being close enough to your forward so that you can combine with him.
And I don't see him combining with Isak. I just feel like Wirtz has got to think about being involved in the build‑up less and think about being a second striker. He's got to think about his output and what he needs to do, and that is feed Isak with little passes down the side of centre‑backs. He might only get the ball two or three times in that position in tight games where teams are lying deep." Neville's commentary reflects a broader narrative about Liverpool's recruitment strategy.
The club has splashed out on big‑ticket signings, yet integrating them into Jürgen Klopp's high‑pressing, fast‑transition system has proven challenging. Both Wirtz and Isak must adapt not only to the physical demands of the Premier League but also to the mental pressure of justifying their price tags. The former defender suggested that the pair's development could be accelerated with more consistent minutes, but only if they demonstrate the required work‑rate and decision‑making.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will need to decide whether to give the duo more time or to consider tactical adjustments. If Wirtz can refine his positioning and develop a stronger partnership with Isak, the front two could become a formidable force.
Conversely, if the lack of urgency persists, the club may face increasing scrutiny from fans and media alike, especially given the substantial financial investment. In summary, Gary Neville's verdict is clear: Wirtz and Isak are Liverpool's biggest disappointments to date, but they are also players with immense upside. The onus now lies with the coaching staff to harness their talents, instill greater tenacity, and translate potential into tangible results on the pitch.
The next few months will be critical in determining whether Liverpool's £200 million‑plus attack can live up to its promise or become a cautionary tale of overspending.