Gary Neville slams Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo after Liverpool defeat to Chelsea

Gary Neville didn’t pull any punches in his latest podcast, ripping into Liverpool’s forward line after their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The former Manchester United defender was left exasperated by what he described as a lack of intensity and quality from Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo in the closing stages, labelling their performances as “absolutely useless.”

For Neville, who has seen plenty of Anfield sides dominate games over the years, the real frustration came from Liverpool’s inability to capitalise when Chelsea’s defence was patched together with makeshift solutions. The reigning champions had clawed their way back into the match through Gakpo’s second-half equaliser, but instead of kicking on, their attacking stars went missing.

Neville criticises Liverpool attackers for poor display at Stamford Bridge

Neville was particularly critical of how the young German seemed “almost sort of marking Caicedo” rather than demanding the ball and driving Liverpool forward.

Speaking directly from the gantry after finishing his Sky Sports duties, Neville launched into his critique. He acknowledged that much of the debate around Liverpool this season has centred on their defensive frailties under Arne Slot, but insisted that this particular defeat came down to their forwards failing to deliver when it mattered most.

“They’ve lost this game because in the last 15-20 minutes, their creative players, their players in the final half of the pitch, were absolutely useless,” Neville said. “They were giving the ball away like you wouldn’t believe. Gakpo down here, Salah over on that far side; the wastage. Wirtz not knowing how to get into a game in the last 15 minutes when it was there for the taking.”

It was a stinging assessment, but one that echoed what many Liverpool supporters watching on would have felt. The Reds had Chelsea on the ropes, yet failed to deliver the knockout blow.

Salah struggles as finishing woes continue

For years, Mohamed Salah has been the man Liverpool turned to in decisive moments. But at Stamford Bridge, he looked a shadow of his former self. Wasteful in front of goal and strangely tentative in possession, the Egyptian was given just a 3/10 in GOAL’s player ratings – the lowest of any Red on the pitch.

The defining moment came early in the second half when Salah was presented with a golden opportunity after a clever flick from Wirtz. Normally so ruthless, he dragged his effort wide. From there, his influence waned, his dribbles easily snuffed out and his decision-making frustratingly slow.

At 33, questions about his sharpness are becoming harder to avoid. Neville’s frustration reflected a wider fear: is this the beginning of Salah’s decline as Liverpool’s talisman?

Gakpo’s goal not enough to mask failings

Cody Gakpo did at least find the back of the net, lashing home from close range to make it 1-1. But Neville’s anger wasn’t about the goal itself – it was about what followed. With the game finely poised and Chelsea fielding an emergency centre-back pairing of Reece James and Jorrel Hato, the Dutchman failed to exploit the space or show the aggression needed to turn one point into three.

Instead of stretching the Blues, Gakpo drifted, his touches sloppy and his movement predictable. While GOAL’s match ratings gave him a respectable 8/10, even their writer admitted he failed to maintain his influence as the match reached its most crucial stage.

Wirtz fades badly after promising cameo

Liverpool’s £117m summer signing Florian Wirtz remains something of an enigma. On his day, he looks every inch the world-class playmaker Liverpool believed they were signing from Bayer Leverkusen. Against Chelsea, though, he failed to stamp his authority when his team needed him most.

Introduced in the second half, Wirtz showed glimpses of his quality – most notably with the flick that set up Salah’s chance. But as the game wore on, he disappeared. Neville was particularly critical of how the young German seemed “almost sort of marking Caicedo” rather than demanding the ball and driving Liverpool forward.

For such a hefty transfer fee, Liverpool fans are right to expect more than flashes. Until Wirtz can control games consistently, doubts will remain.

Chelsea seize the moment as Estevao shines

While Liverpool’s attackers wilted, Chelsea’s teenage star Estevao Willian seized his opportunity. The 18-year-old Brazilian became the hero with a stoppage-time winner, capping an electric cameo. His composure in front of goal was everything Salah, Gakpo and Wirtz lacked in those dying minutes.

Enzo Maresca’s side may still be a work in progress, but the energy and fearlessness of Estevao showed Liverpool exactly what they were missing: a forward willing to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

A worrying pattern under Arne Slot

For Liverpool, this was their third straight defeat – something that hadn’t happened since Jürgen Klopp’s turbulent 2020-21 season. The worrying part is how similar the losses have been: plenty of possession, moments of brilliance, but a lack of ruthlessness when it matters most.

Slot’s system demands intensity and creativity from his forwards, but right now those players aren’t delivering. Neville’s blunt words might sting, but they reflect the reality that without a functioning attack, Liverpool’s title defence could unravel quickly.

Final thoughts: Neville’s brutal honesty hits home

Gary Neville has made a career out of speaking his mind, but his post-match podcast rant cut particularly deep because it rang true. Salah, Gakpo and Wirtz are supposed to be the men Liverpool rely on in decisive moments. At Stamford Bridge, they went missing.

Whether it’s fatigue, form or confidence, something isn’t right. Slot needs to find answers quickly. For now, Neville’s “absolutely useless” tag will linger – a damning summary of a night when Liverpool’s forwards failed to deliver and Chelsea’s rising star Estevao showed them how it’s done.