Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz has been told he "needs to sort himself out" after an underwhelming maiden campaign was followed by a relatively anonymous performance in the season-opening draw at Newcastle.
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville believes the Germany international has the talent to succeed in the Premier League but was not impressed by the sight of him being substituted an hour into Sunday's game.
"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," he told 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."
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Striker Alexander Isak did not escape criticism either after the Sweden international also failed to make an impact on his first return to 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," he 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."