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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak fairly as a £125 million Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that earned the fiercest scrutiny at Anfield. The team's backline structure has vanished.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was predominantly unnoticeable in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his individual toils persisted against the team he often plunders. The Swedish player had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the first half, well saved by the opposition's latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward missed a golden second-half chance facing the home end and neither protest when their substitution came up. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar three times and somehow was unable to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Loss In Spite of Chances

It seemed unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they created numerous opportunities, Slot claimed. But it is not impossible with a defence in current state, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently Manchester United have shown.

Backline Collapse Under Pressure

While overseeing a fourth successive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so after a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a defence display that invited United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the identical errors that the team's coaching staff had worked on fixing after the pause, including yet another set-piece score, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ second half recovery and lost them the match.

Advantage Squandered Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could sense another last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three opposition members unmarked behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A powerful goal into the goal that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the finest win of his challenging club reign. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his team that played with clear purpose and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The first back-to-back Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. Slot’s side again looked like unfamiliar at times, particularly when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League the current campaign.

Quick Opener Exposes Defensive Issues

Liverpool were found wanting from the start 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 opponents to connect with the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Officiating and Focus Issues

The manager could reasonably point to his decisions and wonder why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the focus and communication among his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike indicates the team have managed only two shutouts in a dozen games this season, the most recent occurring many matches previously at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

The visitors carved open Liverpool’s left flank frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also the attacker all came close to increasing the away team's lead. Sending Diallo early versus the full-back was obviously in the manager's gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the first half. The £40m new arrival from his former club endured another difficult evening in a Liverpool jersey. Set-pieces were also a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly sent Mbeumo through while attempting one challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a many gambles,” Slot explained following United’s win. “Following the second half we had six or seven offensive members on the pitch. That’s perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have more defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to do better.”