Neville demands Wirtz and Isak 'sort themselves out' after Liverpool's opening-day draw at Newcastle

Gary Neville has issued a sharp warning to Liverpool’s record-breaking attacking pair, insisting Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak must start delivering after both struggled in Sunday’s Premier League opener at Newcastle, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Arne Slot’s side.

Wirtz was hauled off after 60 minutes with Liverpool chasing the game, prompting Neville to deliver a blunt verdict on the Gary Neville Podcast. “He needs to sort himself out. Enough’s enough now, we’ve talked about him enough,” the former Manchester United and England defender said. “I can see a real player there, but I can’t keep watching this stuff — he’s been subbed after an hour and they need a goal.”

Neville acknowledged Wirtz’s underlying quality but questioned his intensity and positional discipline. “I don’t see the tenacity in Wirtz, in particular. I see a nice player moving around the pitch not really ever looking like he is busting a gut to do anything. I want to put a rocket up him because there is ability there, there is talent there.”

The pundit also suggested a tactical adjustment for the German playmaker, arguing he needs to “think about being the second striker rather than the third midfield player” and focus more on his output in the final third rather than dropping deep into build-up play.

Isak, returning to St James’ Park for the first time since his high-profile move to Anfield, was equally anonymous. Neville noted that the Swedish forward’s absence through injury last season had afforded him some goodwill, but that patience is running thin. “They’re going to have to start playing sooner or later or else they’re going to get quite a lot of criticism,” he said.

With Liverpool having invested approximately £250m in the front two, Neville framed the Newcastle display as a line in the sand. “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 result leaves Liverpool without a win heading into the second round of Premier League fixtures, with the pressure on their marquee signings already building after just one game.