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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot stated on Friday. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to force an leveler versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming attack that warranted the fiercest scrutiny at Anfield. The team's defensive foundation has vanished.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was mostly quiet in the No 9 role and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his personal struggles persisted versus the team he typically plunders. The Sweden player had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Reds player in the first half, well saved by United’s new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a excellent second-half opportunity facing the home end and neither complain when their numbers came up. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork three times and somehow was unable to score a second shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Chances

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to lose a match in which they created plenty of chances, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as Crystal Palace, another rival and currently Manchester United have shown.

Backline Breakdown During Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so since a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a backline effort that invited United to seize control as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the same mistakes that the team's management had focused on solving following the pause, including yet another set-piece score, it was a display that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime recovery and cost them the match.

Advantage Squandered Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. Liverpool could sense one more last-minute victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third straight, after the team's set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three United members unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful goal into the goal that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the best win of his turbulent United tenure. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented approach for the bulk of a compelling contest. The initial back-to-back league wins of the manager's time in charge were the result. The Liverpool side again appeared like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a set-piece goal for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were exposed from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a likely result of having to go through two players to reach the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released the winger in open area on the right. the defender was slow to respond, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

Slot could reasonably point to his head and wonder why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. The forward's strike means Slot’s side have managed only two shutouts in 12 matches so far, the last coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

The visitors exposed the left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Sending Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth endured another tough evening in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were also a issue for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly put Mbeumo in on goal while attempting an challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on different wavelengths at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” the head coach commented following the opposition's win. “After the second half we had multiple offensive players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have more defending players on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to do better.”