Florian Wirtz must “sort himself out” following a quiet display in Liverpool’s opening-day draw against Newcastle, coming off the back of a disappointing first season at Anfield.
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville feels the German playmaker possesses the talent to thrive in the Premier League, but was left unimpressed after he was hauled off after 60 minutes on Sunday.
“He 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,” Neville stated on the Gary Neville Podcast.
“I can see a real player there, but I 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 that’s not right.
“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 understanding of his position.
“I just feel like Wirtz had to really think about being involved in the build up less, think about being the second striker rather than the third midfield player and the output of what he has to do.”
Alexander Isak also came under scrutiny, with the Swedish forward failing to make an impression during his first appearance back at St James’ Park.
“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 those two,” Neville added.
“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. I think they are going to have to start delivering.
“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.”
