Gary Neville has not been shy about his disappointment with Liverpool’s high‑priced attacking duo, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, after they failed to deliver in the club’s opening league match at St James’ Park. The former England international, speaking on his podcast, reminded listeners that the Merseyside side have invested more than £200 million in these two forwards, yet their performances have been underwhelming, bordering on the "biggest disappointments" of the season so far.
The match in question saw Isak complete the full 90 minutes on his first return to the stadium since his record‑breaking transfer from Newcastle United. Despite his presence, the Swedish striker offered little beyond the occasional touch, mirroring the limited impact of Wirtz, who was withdrawn after just over an hour for Alexis Mac Allister. Both players entered the season with high expectations after impressive displays in pre‑season friendlies under new manager Andoni Iraola, but they were unable to translate that optimism into tangible results on the pitch.
During the Gary Neville Podcast, the former Manchester United defender 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." Neville went on to single out Wirtz, stating that he does not see the tenacity he expects from a player of his calibre. "I just see a nice player moving around the pitch, not really ever looking like he's busting a gut to do anything," the pundit complained.
He added that while talent is evident, the German midfielder must add a greater degree of urgency and aggression: "I want to put a rocket up him because there's ability there, there's talent there, the understanding of his position." When asked which players have disappointed him most on Sunday, Neville answered unequivocally: "The biggest disappointment for me [Sunday] is those two." Despite the harsh words, Neville did not abandon hope entirely. He reminded listeners that both forwards have shown flashes of brilliance in their previous clubs – Isak at Newcastle United and Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen – and he believes they can rediscover that form with a full season at Anfield behind them.
"I've watched them both for 12 months, and I do actually have faith in them," Neville said. "I think Isak's an exceptional player and we've seen it. 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." He also stressed the financial stakes: "Now Liverpool fans and his teammates and coaching staff, they need to see that – because that's £125 m they've spent on him." Regarding Wirtz, Neville urged the 23‑year‑old to adapt his game to the Premier League’s demands.
"He's young and he's come to a different country – and I'm all for willing him on. 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." Neville criticised the lack of urgency in the second half, noting that Wirtz was substituted while Liverpool trailed 2‑1 and that the team still needed a goal.
"I can see a real player there, but I can't keep watching this stuff," he said. "He's been subbed after an hour and they need a goal, but they're 2‑1 down, so no that's not right." In pre‑season, Wirtz impressed as a shadow striker, particularly in Liverpool’s 3‑2 loss to Monaco. However, in the league opener he was positioned further from Isak, a tactical decision that Neville believes limited his effectiveness. Since his nine‑figure move from Leverkusen, the German has recorded only eight goal involvements in the league, a figure Neville deems insufficient for a player of his price tag.
Neville offered specific tactical advice: "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. When I played football and No 10s sometimes drifted too deep, or too wide, they would get a right rollicking off our manager.
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 importance of linking up with the striker: "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." Neville concluded that Wirtz must rethink his role, suggesting a shift toward a second‑striker mentality: "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." In summary, Neville’s message to Liverpool is clear: the club cannot continue to be lenient with its marquee signings. The £125 million spent on Isak and the comparable fee for Wirtz demand performances that match the investment.
While Neville retains a degree of faith based on the players’ past achievements, he warns that continued complacency will only invite further criticism and jeopardise Liverpool’s ambitions for the season. The onus now lies with the coaching staff to fine‑tune the pair’s roles, increase their intensity, and deliver the goals that Anfield expects.