Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender, has called on Liverpool's record signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to develop a more tenacious approach to their game. Neville stated that the pair, who represent a combined investment of £241 million, are "too nice" and need to increase their intensity if they are to succeed at Anfield.
Wirtz and Isak endured an underwhelming debut season last year, during which Liverpool relinquished their Premier League title to Arsenal and finished fifth. Both players featured in Liverpool's opening fixture of the current campaign, a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, but failed to make a significant impact. Wirtz was substituted in the 63rd minute, while Isak struggled against his former club.
"The big thing for Liverpool is they've got a quarter-of-a-billion-pound front-two, Isak and Wirtz, and bloody hell we've been kind to them," Neville said on his Gary Neville Podcast. "They're going to have to start playing soon or else to be fair they're going to get a lot of criticism. They're going to have to start delivering."
Neville expressed particular concern over Wirtz's on-field demeanor, suggesting he needs to be more aggressive. "For a start they're too nice and if you're going to be nice, you better be incredible at football," he commented. "I don't see a tenacity in Wirtz in particular - Isak maybe a bit more - but in Wirtz I just see a nice player moving around the pitch, not really ever looking like he's busting a gut to do anything."
Neville elaborated on Wirtz's style, stating he sometimes appears to drift too much and is not always in a position to influence the game effectively. He suggested the playmaker should focus less on build-up play and more on operating as a second striker to provide passes for Isak. "Sometimes I think he moves too much and isn't close enough to his striker. Sometimes I don't think he understands where the game is going to be won and lost," Neville said.
Despite his criticism, Neville acknowledged the talent of both players. He recalled Isak's previous performances against top defensive pairings, stating he has seen him be "devastating." However, Neville stressed that Liverpool's teammates and coaching staff need to see this consistently, given their significant transfer fees. "Enough is enough now," he warned. "He's young and come into a different country and I can see a real player there, but we can't keep watching this stuff. He's been subbed after an hour and they need a goal. That's not right. The biggest disappointment for me is those two."
Wirtz and Isak have an opportunity to respond on the field when Liverpool hosts Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The fixture is scheduled for a 12:30 PM kick-off.