Gary Neville has not minced words when it comes to Florian Wirta and Alexander Isak, describing them as Liverpool’s "biggest disappointments" after a season in which the club has been "kind to" its two multimillion‑pound front‑men. Speaking on his podcast, Neville acknowledged the massive financial outlay – more than £200 million for the pair – and warned that unless they begin delivering results soon, the criticism will only intensify. Despite his harsh assessment, he also reiterated that he still believes both players possess the quality to turn things around, provided they make the right adjustments.
The criticism stemmed from Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture at St James’ Park, where Isak completed the full 90 minutes in his first return to the ground since his record‑breaking transfer from Newcastle United, while Wirtz was taken off after just over an hour in favour of Alexis Mac Allister. Both forwards entered the match with high expectations after promising pre‑season displays under new manager Andoni Iraola, yet they failed to translate that optimism into tangible contributions on the pitch. During the Gary Neville Podcast, Neville said: "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 not stop at criticism; he also offered a constructive vision for what each player needs to do. Regarding Wirtz, he suggested the German midfielder should adopt a more aggressive, second‑striker mentality: "He needs to think about being a second striker, feeding Isak with little passes down the side of the centre‑backs.
He might only get the ball two or three times in that position in tight games where teams are lying deep, but those moments have to count." He argued that Wirtz’s tendency to drift too far from the striker and to linger in deeper or wider zones reduces his impact, especially in the final third where goals are decided. On Isak, Neville’s tone softened slightly, praising the Swedish forward’s past performances 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." Yet he reminded fans and the club that the £125 million price tag demands consistent output: "Now Liverpool fans and his teammates and coaching staff, they need to see that – because that’s £125m they’ve spent on him." Neville also acknowledged the broader context surrounding the duo.
Isak missed much of the previous season due to injury, and Wirtz has been adjusting to a new country, language, and style of play. "He’s young and he’s come to a different country – and I’m all for willing him on," Neville said, urging patience but also insisting on accountability. He warned that a "free ride" will not continue: "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 England defender’s comments come at a crucial juncture for Liverpool.
The club invested heavily in both players with the expectation that they would spearhead a revival after a period of underachievement. Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a nine‑figure sum, while Isak’s transfer from Newcastle set a new record for an English club. Their combined transfer fees exceed a quarter of a billion pounds, a figure that amplifies the pressure to perform.
In pre‑season, Wirtz impressed as a shadow striker, particularly in the 3‑2 loss to Monaco, where his movement and link‑up play hinted at the potential to become a creative fulcrum for Jurgen Klopp’s side. However, Neville argued that his role at Anfield needs refinement: "Sometimes I think he moves around too much. 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." Neville’s analysis underscores a fundamental tactical point: the modern forward must be versatile, able to press, create, and finish. For Liverpool, the expectation is that Wirtz will provide the incisive passes and intelligent movement that unlock tightly organised defences, while Isak should exploit those opportunities with clinical finishing.
The synergy between the two could determine whether Liverpool’s attack can compete with the league’s elite. Looking ahead, Neville believes a year of experience at Anfield could be the catalyst for improvement.
"I’ve watched them both for 12 months, and I do actually have faith in them," he affirmed. "I think Isak’s an exceptional player and we’ve seen it." In summary, Gary Neville’s verdict is clear: Wirtz and Isak have underperformed relative to the astronomical fees paid for them, and Liverpool cannot afford further complacency.
The duo must elevate their intensity, sharpen their positional sense, and translate pre‑season promise into consistent league contributions. If they manage to do so, the investment could finally yield the attacking firepower Liverpool has been craving; if not, the criticism will only grow louder, and the club may be forced to reconsider its strategic direction.