Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have come under fire already for Liverpool, but while Andoni Iraola needs them to succeed quickly, the time to judge them has not come yet
Gary Neville and Andoni Iraola.
Gary Neville and Andoni Iraola.(Image: Getty Images)
Alexander Isak would have known what was coming, and from the moment he stepped off the bus at St James' Park, the abuse thrown his way was fierce.
The Liverpool striker took the kick-off, and the Newcastle fans set the tone with a cacophony of noise around him, but Isak only partially got the last laugh. He was anonymous during the 90 minutes, but with Dominik Szoboszlai rescuing a point with a late penalty, he at least avoided being on the losing side.
After arriving for a combined sum of around $328 million (£241 million) last summer, Isak and Florian Wirtz, who effectively played as a front two in a 4-4-2 system, needed to offer much more.
Cody Gakpo scored from range and Victor Munoz won a penalty, but Liverpool didn't really create anything notable for Isak, who blasted one snapshot well over the crossbar.
"It is so early in the season that if we start panicking regardless of what could have happened today, then we won't be in a good place," Virgil van Dijk said.
While he was referring to the game in general, and how easy it was for Liverpool to be played through at times, that sentiment applies to Isak and Wirtz too.
The hope is, amid ongoing interest in both Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh, that Liverpool can add some more quality in its attack before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Alexander Isak next to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield on August 9 2026
Alexander Isak next to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield on August 9 2026(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
That, of course, will help ease the focus on Isak and Wirtz and afford them a bit more space in the final third. More numbers in those positions around them are a must.
For Isak, this kind of atmosphere and special attention was a one-off too. Van Dijk insisted that the Swede's game was not impacted by the Newcastle crowd, but the reality is that something was off.
Thankfully, he will not face a more difficult game all season long, though, and in future matches should have a much easier platform to show his worth. There is a reason, after all, that Liverpool committed a British record fee to bring him in.
After one game, it is far too soon to be judging Isak and Wirtz as a combination, or individually for that matter. But if Liverpool is to be successful this season under Andoni Iraola, the Spaniard needs his front two to work.
Behind them, Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were left exposed too often, and the only way the balance will be right is if Liverpool creates and scores enough to cancel out any defensive frailties.
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Sooner rather than later, with Nottingham Forest coming to Anfield next weekend, Isak and Wirtz need to click into gear, or the questions will only get louder.
"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," Gary Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.
"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."
Fortunately, they are very talented. Liverpool needs nothing more than for them to prove that at the next attempt.