Iraola Demands More from Isak and Wirtz After Stalemate at Newcastle

Liverpool’s opening match of the 2026-27 Premier League season ended in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, with a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty earning a point. But the spotlight quickly fell on two of the club’s most expensive signings, as both Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz struggled to make an impact at St James’ Park.

The match marked the first competitive game in charge for both new managers, Andoni Iraola at Liverpool and Matthias Jaissle at Newcastle. The fixture carried extra tension as Isak—who left Newcastle last summer in a record £125 million move—was booed throughout by home fans. Newcastle’s second goal, scored by Joe Willock, came after Wirtz was judged partially at fault for allowing Yoane Wissa to run past him.

Despite the draw, Iraola was clear about his expectations. “I think it is a massive season for Alexander,” the Spaniard said, emphasizing that “availability is key” for Isak, who missed several months last season with a broken leg and scored only four times in 22 appearances. On Wirtz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for £115 million, Iraola said the German playmaker needs to be “more patient” and “leave some distance” from the ball. He confirmed Wirtz would be deployed in an attacking midfield role, a shift from the left-sided position he often occupied under predecessor Arne Slot.

Gary Neville, speaking on his podcast, was less measured. After the match, as Liverpool needed a stoppage-time penalty to salvage a point, Neville said the duo need to “sort themselves out.” He claimed the pair had “been kind to them” in the media, adding that they are “too nice” and that he wanted to “put a rocket up” Wirtz. Neville recalled that Isak gave defenders such as Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konate a tough time during his Newcastle days, and noted that Isak was injured last season.

The season opener also came amid a backdrop of significant squad changes at Liverpool. The club lost Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate on free transfers, while Curtis Jones moved to Inter Milan in a deal that could eventually be worth £30 million. Incomings include Jeremy Jacquet and on-loan Ronald Araujo in defence, plus Victor Munoz in attack. The club is also in talks with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh. With the squad lacking senior Scouse players for the first time in living memory, and sporting director Richard Hughes widely expected to leave, the pressure on Iraola and his new signings is already intense.

Iraola has admitted his side can currently sustain his high-intensity style for only about 30 minutes at a time, a concern underscored by preseason losses to Monaco and Leeds. Newcastle, meanwhile, lost several key players in the summer—including Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and manager Eddie Howe—and suffered preseason defeats to Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, Bristol City, and Strasbourg.

Despite the individual struggles, there was at least one positive note: Mats Hummels, the former Germany international, posted on X that Wirtz will produce “more than 25 G/As” in the league this season, possibly exceeding 30. Given that Wirtz managed only eight goal involvements last season, that prediction appears ambitious. According to SofaScore, Wirtz still earned a 7.0 match rating against Newcastle, with one key pass, 88% passing accuracy, and one successful dribble—though he failed to register a single goal contribution.

As the new season begins, Iraola has issued a clear challenge: his record signings must justify their price tags. “If we can keep him at a good level he will score his goals and he will be a threat,” he said of Isak. For Wirtz, the message was equally direct—greater patience and distance from the ball could unlock the performances everyone is waiting to see.