GARY NEVILLE’S BRUTAL VERDICT ON LIVERPOOL DUO

Gary Neville has delivered a ruthless warning to Liverpool’s £240million attacking duo Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak after their disappointing display against Newcastle, insisting the pair have been given enough time and must finally justify their huge price tags.

The Reds were forced to settle for a dramatic 2-2 draw at St James’ Park, with Wirtz substituted after an hour and Isak failing to make the decisive impact Liverpool desperately needed.

Neville admitted he still has faith in both players, but believes patience is beginning to run out.

“They’ve both had a bit of a free ride.”

The former Manchester United star singled out Wirtz for particular criticism, questioning the German’s intensity and insisting he needs to show far more urgency.

“They’re going to have to start playing sooner or later,” Neville warned. “If you’re going to be nice, you’d better be incredible at football.”

He added that he wanted to “put a rocket up” Wirtz because the talent is clearly there, but Liverpool need to see it on the pitch.

Isak was also placed firmly under the spotlight. Having cost Liverpool a club-record £125million after establishing himself as a prolific striker at Newcastle, the Swede has yet to consistently reproduce that form at Anfield.

Neville pointed to Isak’s previous performances against elite defenders as evidence of what Liverpool should be getting.

“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.”

The criticism comes as pressure mounts on both players following difficult first seasons at Liverpool. With the club having invested around £240million in Wirtz and Isak, Neville believes the excuses are beginning to disappear.

“Enough’s enough now, we’ve talked about him enough,” he said of Wirtz.

For Liverpool, the message is becoming increasingly clear: the price tags are no longer the story — performances have to be.