Gary Neville's Scathing Criticism of Isak and Wirtz: Time to Wake Up, They're Too Nice on the Pitch

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has issued a stern warning to Liverpool stars Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, stating that the duo must significantly improve their game and show more character if they want to succeed at the Merseyside club.

The pair represent Liverpool's most expensive signings in history. Wirtz's £116 million price tag is surpassed only by Isak's £125 million transfer, which also set a Premier League record. Both had disappointing debut seasons with Liverpool, as the club finished fifth and conceded their Premier League title to Arsenal.

Both Wirtz and Isak started in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle, but neither managed to shine. Wirtz was substituted after 63 minutes, while Isak failed to perform amidst a hostile atmosphere on his first return to St. James' Park since his controversial departure last year.

Analyzing their performance, Neville believes the two are "too nice" and need more aggression in their play. "The big problem for Liverpool is that they have a quarter-of-a-billion-pound attacking duo – Isak and Wirtz – and we've been far too kind to them, damn it," the Manchester United legend declared on his "Gary Neville Podcast."

"They're going to have to start performing soon, otherwise, frankly, they'll face a lot of criticism. They'll have to start delivering results. For starters, they're too nice, and if you're going to be nice, you'd better be an incredible footballer. I don't see the bite, especially in Wirtz – maybe a bit more in Isak – but in Wirtz, I just see a good player moving around the pitch, without ever looking like he's tearing himself apart to make something happen," the former Manchester United and England right-back continued.

"There are players who are more graceful and just glide across the pitch – like Mesut Ozil and Kai Havertz – but with him, I want to give him a rocket (editor's note: to criticize him harshly)," Neville continued. "He has ability, talent, and an understanding of his position. Sometimes, however, I think he moves too much and isn't close enough to his striker. Sometimes I don't think he understands where the game will be won or lost.

I don't see him linking up with Isak. For me, and I've been saying it for 12 months, he's too much of a passenger. I just think Wirtz needs to think less about participating in build-up play; he needs to think of himself as a second striker, not a third midfielder, and he needs to consider his contribution, which is to feed Isak with short passes and behind the center-backs," Neville added.

"They need to improve. I'm telling them directly now because I've been watching them for 12 months, but I have faith in them. I think Isak is an exceptional player – I've never seen anyone trouble Gabriel and Saliba, or Van Dijk and Konate, more than him when he was at Newcastle – so I've seen him be devastating.

Liverpool's teammates and coaches need to see this because it's £125 million, and Wirtz needs to get his act together. Enough is enough. He's young, he's come to another country, and I see a real player in him, but we can't keep watching this. He was substituted after an hour when the team needed a goal. That's not right. My biggest disappointment is these two," Neville concluded.