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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Liverpool centre forward, the Liverpool head coach commented on the weekend. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's most expensive player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to secure an leveler versus Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming forward line that warranted the strongest criticism at Anfield. The team's defensive foundation has vanished.

Quiet Display from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was mostly anonymous in the centre-forward position and Salah disappointing again as his difficulties continued versus the team he usually scores against. The Sweden international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Reds member in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah squandered a excellent second-half opportunity in front of the Kop and neither protest when their substitution eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork three times and somehow failed to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Opportunities

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a game in which they generated numerous chances, the manager claimed. But it is not impossible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and now Manchester United have proven.

Defensive Collapse Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to achieve this after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defence display that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on fixing following the international break, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out the forward's early opener. Liverpool could sense one more late win with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further last-gasp Premier League loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three opposition members unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A thumping header into the net that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest win of his turbulent club tenure. For all the criticism surrounding the coach it was his team that played with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive league victories of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side again looked like strangers at times, particularly when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Quick Opener Exposes Defensive Flaws

The home side were found wanting from the start to the execution of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a likely result of having to go through opponents to connect with the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

The manager could justifiably question his decisions and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the concentration and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s goal means the side have kept only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the last coming eight games ago at another ground.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

United exposed Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and even Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Sending the winger quickly against Kerkez was clearly in the manager's tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the first half. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth experienced another tough match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who almost put the forward through while attempting an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of gambles,” Slot commented following United’s win. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven offensive members on the field. This is maybe why our structure for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to do better.”