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Now is the moment to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on Friday. As such, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the English top-flight title holders attempted unsuccessfully to force an leveler against Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming forward line that earned the fiercest scrutiny at Anfield. The team's defence has disappeared.

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 difficulties continued against the club he typically plunders. The Swedish player had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds player in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest goalkeeper the young keeper. Salah missed a golden after the break chance facing the Kop and could not complain when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork three times and inexplicably failed to net a second shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Loss In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated plenty of chances, Slot stated. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently United have demonstrated.

Defensive Collapse During Pressure

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as the club's manager, the first man to achieve this since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have felt dismayed at a defence display that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had worked on fixing following the international break, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a display that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime recovery and lost them the game.

Advantage Lost Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized the forward's quick opener. The Merseyside club could sense another late win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further last-gasp top-flight loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and Maguire found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Rivals Outperform

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 turbulent United reign. For all the negativity surrounding the coach it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back league victories of Amorim’s reign were the outcome. The Liverpool side once more appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were exposed from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the initial attempt from the captain, a likely result of having to go through opponents to reach the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right flank. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

The manager could reasonably point to his decisions and wonder why the foul was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s goal indicates Slot’s team have kept only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the most recent coming many matches ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

The visitors exposed Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all came close to doubling the away team's advantage. Releasing the winger early versus Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth endured a further difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were also a issue for the previous player's replacement, who nearly sent Mbeumo through while making an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” the head coach commented following United’s win. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking members on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”