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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, the Liverpool head coach commented on Friday. Therefore, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an leveler versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring attack that deserved the harshest scrutiny at Anfield. His backline structure has evaporated.

Quiet Display from Star Forwards

Yes, the Swedish striker was largely anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his difficulties continued versus the club he typically scores against. The Sweden player had his first attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward missed a golden second-half chance facing the Kop and neither complain when their substitution came up. The Dutch attacker also struck the crossbar three times and inexplicably failed to score a another goal moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they created so many chances, Slot stated. But it is not impossible with a defence in current state, as one opponent, another rival and now United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as the club's head coach, the first man to do so after Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defence display that invited United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had focused on fixing after the pause, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that totally undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when the substitute equalized the forward's early breakthrough. Liverpool could sense one more late victory with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and United in retreat. Rather, it was another late Premier League loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties re-emerged and Maguire found himself one of three opposition players free behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Outperform

A powerful header into the net that Maguire missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent United reign. For all the criticism surrounding Amorim it was his team that performed with clear purpose and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The first consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side once more looked like strangers at times, particularly when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League the current campaign.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were lacking from the start to the finish of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely result of having to pass opponents to connect with the pass, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was slow to respond, Van Dijk slow to recover and mark Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in net, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Officiating and Focus Issues

Slot could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the focus and communication among his backline. Mbeumo’s strike means Slot’s side have managed only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and even the attacker all came close to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Sending the winger quickly versus Kerkez was obviously in the manager's gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million new arrival from his former club experienced another tough match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were even a issue for the previous player's replacement, who almost sent Mbeumo through while attempting an challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Admission

“We take a lot of gambles,” the head coach explained following the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple offensive players on the pitch. This is maybe why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have more defending personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”