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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a £125 million Anfield centre forward, the Liverpool head coach remarked on Friday. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s highest-priced footballer sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League title holders struggled to force an leveler versus Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's misfiring attack that warranted the harshest blame at Anfield. His defensive foundation has evaporated.

Quiet Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, Isak was largely anonymous in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger again poor as his individual toils persisted versus the team he often plunders. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward wasted a glorious second-half opportunity facing the home end and could not protest when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to score a another goal moments after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss In Spite of Chances

It seemed unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated so many chances, Slot stated. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and now United have shown.

Defensive Collapse During Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to do so since a previous manager in years past, Slot must have felt dismayed at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had worked on solving following the pause, featuring another set-piece score, it was a display that completely derailed the champions’ second half recovery and cost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early breakthrough. Liverpool could feel one more last-minute win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward igniting progress and United in defensive mode. Rather, it was another last-gasp Premier League loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three United members free behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A powerful goal into the net that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's tie gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging club tenure. Despite the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented approach for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The initial back-to-back Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. Slot’s side once more appeared like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Quick Opener Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the first header from the captain, a probable result of having to pass opponents to connect with the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and passed to the winger in space on the right flank. the defender was late to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and mark the forward's run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Officiating and Concentration Questions

Slot could justifiably question his head and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the focus and communication levels his defenders. The forward's goal means Slot’s team have kept only two shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring eight games ago at another ground.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

United carved open the left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all came close to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing the winger quickly versus the full-back was obviously part of the manager's strategy. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from his former club experienced a further difficult match in a club jersey. Set-pieces were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly sent the forward in on goal while making an interception. The defender and the captain appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“We take a lot of risks,” the head coach commented after the opposition's win. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking members on the pitch. This is maybe why our organization for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”