Gary Neville has not shied away from pointing out the shortcomings of Liverpool's costly front‑two, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, after a lacklustre start to the season that left many supporters feeling let down. In a recent episode of the Gary Neville Podcast, the former Manchester United star expressed his disappointment, labeling the pair as Liverpool’s "biggest disappointments" following a year in which the club has been relatively gentle with them despite the massive financial outlay. Neville, however, also hinted that he still believes in their potential and that the duo could still turn things around if they find the right mindset and work ethic.
The criticism came after Liverpool’s opening league match at St James’ Park, where Isak completed the full 90 minutes on his first return to the venue since his record‑breaking transfer last summer, while Wirtz was taken off just after the hour mark for Alexis Mac Allister. Both players had shown flashes of promise in pre‑season friendlies under new manager Andoni Iraola, yet that optimism failed to translate into a convincing performance on Sunday.
The Swans were beaten 2‑1, and the attacking output from the two new signings was, by Neville’s standards, far below what Liverpool paid for them – a combined fee exceeding £200 million. During the 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 didn’t just criticize; he also offered a constructive vision for what he believes each player needs to do. Regarding Wirtz, he suggested a tactical shift: "I want to put a rocket up him because there's ability there, there's talent there, the understanding of his position.
The biggest disappointment for me [Sunday] is those two." He urged Wirtz to adopt a more advanced, second‑striker role, staying closer to Isak and delivering quick, incisive passes rather than drifting too far from the goal. "Sometimes I think he moves around too much. Sometimes I don't think he's close enough to his striker.
The game is going to be won in the final third, in and around the box," Neville explained. As for Isak, Neville praised his past performances at Newcastle, recalling how the Swedish forward had repeatedly troubled the likes of Gabriel, Saliba, Van Dijk and Konaté. "I never saw anybody give those defenders a tougher time as Isak did when he played at Newcastle in a black and white shirt. I've seen him be devastating," Neville said.
He reminded fans that Liverpool have invested £125 million in Isak and therefore expect a return that matches that price tag. Yet, he also acknowledged the striker’s recent injury woes and the disruption caused by the departure of former manager Arne Slot, which may have contributed to a slower start at Anfield. Neville’s overall message was clear: both players have earned a free ride so far, but the time for leniency is over.
"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," he said. He emphasized that Liverpool fans, teammates and the coaching staff need to see tangible improvement, especially given the hefty fees involved.
The criticism is not without context. Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen after a stellar season in the Bundesliga, where he was often deployed as a shadow striker, linking midfield and attack with fluid movement and clever passing.
In Liverpool’s pre‑season, he impressed in a 3‑2 loss to Monaco, showing glimpses of the creativity that made him a nine‑figure target. However, his league debut at St James’ Park saw him struggle to find the right positioning, resulting in limited goal contributions – only eight league involvements since his arrival, a figure that falls short of expectations for a player of his calibre. Isak, on the other hand, entered the Premier League as the most expensive signing in the league’s history.
His debut in the north‑east was a mixed bag: he showed physical presence and held his own for the full match, yet the final scoreline reflected a missed opportunity for a decisive impact. Neville reminded listeners that Isak’s previous form at Newcastle was marked by a relentless work‑rate and an ability to challenge even the toughest defenders. The hope is that, with a full season under his belt at Anfield, he can rediscover that edge. Looking ahead, Neville believes the duo can still turn the tide if they adjust their mentalities and embrace a more aggressive, decisive style of play.
He urged Wirtz to stop over‑thinking his involvement in the build‑up and focus on delivering quick, incisive balls to Isak, especially when Liverpool face deep‑lying defensive blocks. For Isak, the expectation is to continue using his physicality and movement to create space, while also contributing more directly to goal‑scoring opportunities.
In summary, Gary Neville’s assessment serves as both a warning and a vote of confidence. While he does not shy away from calling out the lack of urgency and tenacity displayed by Wirtz and Isak, he also affirms that he has watched them for twelve months and retains faith in their abilities. The onus now lies with the players, the coaching staff and the Liverpool hierarchy to translate that belief into consistent performances on the pitch, ensuring that the massive investment in the front line yields the desired returns for the club and its supporters.