Gary Neville has not been shy about his disappointment with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, the two players Liverpool splashed over £200 million on last summer. After a season in which the pair have been described as "kind to" the club, Neville believes the duo must start delivering or face a wave of criticism. He voiced his concerns on the Gary Neville Podcast, where he said that despite the huge financial outlay, both forwards have yet to show the hunger and tenacity expected of such high‑profile signings. Neville opened his remarks by pointing out the sheer scale of Liverpool’s investment: "We've got a front‑two that costs a quarter of a billion pounds, Isak and Wirtz, and frankly, we've been too gentle with them." He warned that the club cannot continue to be patient forever, adding that if the players want to be praised for their kindness they need to be "incredible at football".
The former England defender singled out Wirtz for particular scrutiny, saying he appears more like a pleasant player drifting around the pitch than someone who is willing to give everything on the ball. "I don’t see the tenacity in Wirtz," Neville said.
"He looks nice, but I want to see a rocket‑like intensity because the talent is there. The understanding of his position is there, but the drive is missing." He went on to label both men as "the biggest disappointment" after Liverpool’s opening league fixture at St James’ Park, where Isak completed the full 90 minutes but contributed little, and Wirtz was substituted after just over an hour for Alexis Mac Allister.
The context of the criticism is important. Both players arrived with glowing pre‑season performances under new manager Andoni Iraola. Wirtz, playing as a shadow striker, impressed in a 3‑2 friendly loss to Monaco, while Isak had shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Newcastle United.
Yet that optimism vanished on Sunday’s match, where Liverpool fell behind and struggled to create clear chances. Neville noted that Isak, despite his reputation as a powerful forward, seemed subdued, and Wirtz’s movement did not translate into meaningful goal contributions.
Despite the harsh words, Neville made it clear that he still believes in their potential. "I’ve watched them both for twelve months and I do actually have faith in them," he said.
He praised Isak’s physicality, recalling how the Swedish striker gave Liverpool’s defenders a tough time while wearing Newcastle’s black‑and‑white kit. Neville reminded fans that Liverpool have already spent £125 million on Isak, and that the club expects a return on that investment. When it comes to Wirtz, Neville urged the German midfielder to adapt his role.
He suggested that Wirtz should operate closer to the striker, acting more like a second striker rather than a deep‑lying playmaker. "He needs to think about being involved in the build‑up less and think about feeding Isak with quick passes down the side of the centre‑backs," Neville explained. He argued that Wirtz’s tendency to drift too far from the goal line reduces his effectiveness, especially against teams that sit deep and defend compactly. Neville also highlighted the importance of the final third.
"The game is won in the box, not out there," he said, emphasizing that Wirtz must focus on delivering decisive passes and creating scoring opportunities rather than wandering aimlessly across the midfield. He warned that without a clear tactical adjustment, both players risk becoming peripheral figures in a squad that demands results.
The former defender acknowledged that both men have had a relatively easy start to their Liverpool careers. Isak missed a portion of the previous season due to injury, while Wirtz has been given time to settle into a new country and league.
However, Neville stressed that the luxury of a "free ride" cannot continue. "We’ve talked about him enough," he said about Wirtz, urging the club to push him to a higher level of performance.
Looking ahead, Neville believes that with a year of experience at Anfield under their belts, the two could rediscover the form that made them stars at Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle. He urged Liverpool’s coaching staff and supporters to give them a clear directive: work harder, be more decisive, and translate their undeniable talent into tangible results on the pitch.
In summary, Neville’s message is unequivocal. Liverpool’s record‑breaking front‑two must stop being merely "nice" and start being "exceptional".
The club’s massive financial commitment demands a swift turnaround, and both Isak and Wirtz need to adapt their games, increase their intensity, and deliver the goals and assists that Liverpool fans have been promised. The season is still young, but the window for patience is closing fast.