David Lynch Says Liverpool Need More From Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United placed renewed scrutiny on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, with both of the club’s major attacking signings struggling to influence the opening game of the new Premier League season.

Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, David Lynch accepted that neither player performed particularly well at St James’ Park, while also arguing that Liverpool did not give either of them the ideal platform to succeed.

The expectation surrounding Isak and Wirtz is obvious. As Davis put it, Liverpool had “a quarter of a billion quid in attacking talent there” and “they didn’t show much yesterday”.

Isak Struggled to Influence Newcastle Defenders

Lynch was clear about Isak’s performance.

“They just both of them didn’t really play particularly well to be honest,” he said.

On Isak specifically, Lynch felt Liverpool needed more movement and presence from their striker.

“You’d like to just think that Isak could have done more to kind of occupy defenders a little bit,” he said.

The forward did get opportunities, although Lynch described them as “a couple of half chances” and acknowledged that Liverpool could have created cleaner openings for him.

His overall assessment was simple.

“He just didn’t have a good game quite frankly.”

Lynch also felt the environment may have played a role, adding: “I think the atmosphere got to him a little bit.”

For Liverpool, that is one of the challenges Iraola must address. Isak’s ability is not being questioned in the discussion, although Lynch’s comments make clear that greater involvement will be required.

Wirtz Needs More Precision in Final Third

Wirtz also struggled to impose himself before being substituted shortly after the hour mark.

Davis even suggested Liverpool looked better after the German had gone off, while Lynch described Wirtz’s contribution as containing “some nice touches, some okay moments”.

Lynch then identified an area he wants to see improve.

“One thing with Wirtz, I really would like to see him improve as this season gets going,” he said.

For a player with such obvious technical quality, Lynch has been surprised by some of his work close to goal.

“I would just like him to be a touch tidier in the final third,” he explained.

“He is so loose at times for someone who is a really really good footballer.”

That is a significant point given the role Wirtz is expected to play in Liverpool’s attack. Better execution around the penalty area could make a major difference to how efficiently Iraola’s side convert possession into chances.

Fresh Start Under Iraola

Lynch was careful not to turn one disappointing afternoon into a definitive judgement.

“I think everybody should get a kind of fresh slate really when a new manager comes in and a new system starts,” he said.

He argued that opinions should be rebuilt around how players perform within Iraola’s Liverpool rather than simply carrying conclusions from last season into the new campaign.

That was particularly relevant to Wirtz.

“I don’t think he got used particularly well last season,” Lynch said. “I thought he wasn’t particularly helped in adapting to the league either and I think there is clearly more to come from him.”

Liverpool Must Give Record Signings a Better Platform

Lynch’s assessment ultimately placed responsibility on both the players and the team around them.

“This season as a whole they will be judged over,” he said.

Liverpool need more from Isak and Wirtz, but Lynch also believes the collective performance against Newcastle made life difficult for both.

“I don’t think there’s a question the talent’s there,” Lynch said. “I don’t think Liverpool gave a great platform to either to perform at the best either.”

His verdict on the opener remained measured.

“Let’s kind of see how they develop. But yeah, not a great performance. I think you’d be lying if you said it was.”

For two players carrying enormous expectations, Newcastle was a poor start. Liverpool now need their biggest attacking investments to begin showing more of the quality that made them such important additions in the first place.