After Liverpool drew 2-2 away to Newcastle in the opening match of the new Premier League season, Gary Neville warned Wirtz and Isak that they must improve their performances and show greater intensity if they want to establish themselves at Liverpool.

The pair are Liverpool’s two most expensive signings: Isak’s £125 million transfer fee set a Premier League record, with Wirtz’s £116 million fee close behind.

Last season, both endured underwhelming first seasons at Liverpool, and the team ultimately finished fifth.

Both started in the opening match of the new Premier League season, but neither delivered an impressive performance. Wirtz was substituted in the 63rd minute, while Isak, returning to St. James' Park for the first time since his departure from Newcastle last summer, also struggled amid boos from the home supporters.

Gary Neville said: "Liverpool spent £250 million on the attacking pair of Wirtz and Isak, and frankly, we have been too lenient with them so far."

They must perform well soon, or they will face significant criticism. They need to start justifying their price tags.

"First of all, they are too passive. If you want to play well on the pitch, your technique must be exceptional."

"I haven't seen enough intensity from Wirtz. Isak is slightly better, but Wirtz gives the impression of a timid player jogging around the field with no real urgency."

Speaking about Wirtz, Gary Neville further stated that he hopes the attacking midfielder plays with greater drive. He described Wirtz as too lethargic on the field, saying he sometimes wishes he could shake him awake, and believes Wirtz needs to redefine his contribution and start delivering goals and assists.

"Some players are elegant and glide across the pitch, like Özil and Havertz, but with Wirtz, I really want to give him a wake-up call."

"He has ability and talent, and he understands his position. But sometimes he seems to roam too much and is not positioned close enough to the striker. At times, he appears not to recognize where the key moments in the match are."

"I haven't seen him link up effectively with Isak. I've been saying this for a year: he disappears too easily on the pitch. I think Wirtz should reduce his involvement in build-up play and stop acting like a third midfielder. Instead, he should operate as a proper attacking midfielder, focusing on creating and finishing chances. What he needs to do is play quick passes to Isak and exploit the space behind the opposing center-backs."

"They both need to improve. I've watched them for a year, and I'm being frank now, but I still believe in them. I think Isak is a top player. When he was at Newcastle, I never saw anyone trouble Gabriel and Saliba, or Van Dijk and Konaté, as much as he did. I've seen his threat level."

"Liverpool's teammates and coaches need to see that Isak is delivering value; after all, he cost £125 million. Wirtz also needs to step up. This cannot continue. He is young and in a foreign country, and I can see he has real talent, but we cannot keep watching him play like this. Being substituted after just an hour when the team was chasing a goal is not acceptable. My biggest frustration right now is with these two."

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