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# Isak and Wirtz get reality check in defining moment for Liverpool careers

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 24 Aug
- **Club:** Liverpool
- **Original URL:** https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-isak-wirtz-gary-neville-34506081

Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle last summer for a record-breaking £125million, squandered two gilt-edged opportunities and managed just six touches in the opposition box. Meanwhile, £115m recruit Wirtz - one of the most coveted players in Europe prior to his switch from Bayer Leverkusen - was substituted on the hour mark having failed to leave his mark on the contest.

Both players endured difficult debut campaigns at Liverpool, who dismissed Arne Slot in May and brought in Iraola in the hope that the former Bournemouth manager can unlock their potential. However, speaking on his Gary Neville Podcast, the Manchester United legend said: "The big thing for Liverpool is they've got this quarter-of-a-billion-pound front two, Isak and Wirtz and bloody hell, we've been kind to them..

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"They're going to have to start playing sooner or later or else, to be fair, they're going to get quite a lot of criticism. For a start, they're too nice, and if you're going to be nice, you'd better be incredible at football.

"I don't see the tenacity in Wirtz in particular. I just see a nice player moving around the pitch, not really ever looking like he's busting a gut to do anything. Now, that can happen. Sometimes players have that flow about them, but I want to put a rocket up him.

"I want to put a rocket up him because there's ability there, there's talent there, the understanding of his position. The biggest disappointment for me [Sunday] is those two."

Neville added: "I've watched them both for 12 months, and I do actually have faith in them. I think Isak's an exceptional player and we've seen it. I never saw anybody give Gabriel [Magalhaes] and [William] Saliba or [Virgil] Van Dijk and [Ibrahima] Konate a tougher time as Isak did when he played at Newcastle in a black and white shirt.

"I've seen him be devastating. Now Liverpool fans and his team-mates and coaching staff, they need to see that - because that's £125m they've spent on him.

"And then Wirtz needs to sort himself out. Enough's enough now, we've talked about him enough. He's young, and he's come to a different country - and I'm all for willing him on. 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.

"I can see a real player there, but can't keep watching this stuff, and he's been subbed after an hour, and they need a goal, but they're 2-1 down, so no, that's not right. "