Gary Neville demands greater urgency from Liverpool pair Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has told Liverpool signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak they must improve quickly after criticising their subdued performances in the draw with Newcastle United.

Wirtz, Liverpool’s Germany international attacking midfielder, made little impact before being substituted after an hour in Sunday’s match. Liverpool were 2-1 behind at the time and needed a goal, while Isak failed to make an impression on his first return to St James’ Park.

Neville said Wirtz had the talent to succeed in the Premier League but questioned the player’s level of determination during the match.

“He needs to sort himself out. Enough is enough now, we have spoken about him enough. He is young, he has come to a different country, and I always want to support and encourage him,” Neville said on his podcast.

“I can see a real player in there, but I cannot keep watching this level. He was substituted after an hour, his team needed a goal and they were losing 2-1. That is not right.”

Neville added that he had not yet seen enough intensity from Wirtz, who joined Liverpool with considerable expectations.

“I do not see the determination from Wirtz in particular. I see a good player moving around the pitch, but he never seems as though he is giving everything to do anything,” he said.

“I want to push him hard because he has the ability and the talent, and he understands his position.”

The former Manchester United defender also argued that Wirtz needed to reconsider the way he approached his role in Liverpool’s attack. Rather than concentrating so heavily on helping to build moves, Neville believes the 22-year-old should operate more like a second striker than a third midfielder and focus more closely on his output.

“I feel Wirtz needed to think more about being involved in building attacks less, and think about being a second striker rather than a third midfielder, his output and what he needs to do,” Neville said.

Isak was also singled out for criticism after failing to influence his return to Newcastle’s home ground. The Sweden international had been expected to attract attention as one half of Liverpool’s hugely expensive new attacking partnership with Wirtz.

“The big thing for Liverpool is that they have a striking pair that cost a quarter of a billion pounds, Isak and Wirtz, and, my goodness, we have been very kind to those two players,” Neville said.

“They will have to start performing sooner or later, otherwise, honestly, they will receive a lot of criticism. I think they will have to start producing their levels.”

Neville acknowledged that both players had been given some leeway, noting that Isak had been injured last season. However, he said the situation at Liverpool, including pressure on manager Arne Slot, meant their displays could no longer be overlooked.

“Both of them have been given some leeway. Obviously Isak was injured last season, but Arne Slot is losing his job, and Wirtz played like this, so let us be clear, this has made me start focusing on them properly now,” Neville concluded.