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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Liverpool centre forward, Arne Slot commented on Friday. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to force an leveler against their rivals in their absence, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that earned the fiercest scrutiny at the stadium. His defence has disappeared.

Anonymous Performance from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely quiet in the centre-forward position and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils continued versus the club he usually plunders. The Sweden player had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah wasted a excellent after the break chance facing the home end and could not complain when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork three times and inexplicably was unable to score a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It seemed unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a game in which they created plenty of opportunities, the manager stated. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now United have shown.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive defeat as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have felt dismayed at a defensive performance that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the identical errors that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating following the pause, featuring another dead-ball score, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime recovery and lost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute victory with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several United members free past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Rivals Excel

A powerful header into the net that the player missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging club tenure. Despite the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that played with clear purpose and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The first back-to-back league wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool team once more appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece goal for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Exposes Defensive Flaws

The home side were found wanting from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the initial header from the captain, a likely consequence of having to pass two players to connect with the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to react, the centre-back slow to track back and mark the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

Slot could reasonably question his head and ask why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the concentration and coordination levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike indicates the team have managed only two clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the last occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

United exposed Liverpool’s left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ lead. Sending the winger early versus Kerkez was obviously in Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth experienced a further difficult match in a club jersey. Throw-ins were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who nearly put Mbeumo through while making one challenge. The defender and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” the head coach explained following United’s victory. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive members on the pitch. That’s maybe why our structure for the set-piece was less organized as we typically are. Usually we would have more defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”