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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Anfield attacker, Arne Slot commented on Friday. Therefore, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's costliest player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the English top-flight champions struggled to force an equaliser versus Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's underperforming forward line that earned the fiercest criticism at Anfield. His defensive foundation has vanished.

Anonymous Display from Key Forwards

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly unnoticeable in the centre-forward role and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils continued against the club he often plunders. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah wasted a excellent after the break chance in front of the Kop and could not complain when their numbers were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to score a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a game in which they generated numerous opportunities, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and now United have demonstrated.

Defensive Collapse Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so since a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that the team's coaching staff had worked on eradicating following the pause, including yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime recovery and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could feel another late win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and United in retreat. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself among several opposition members free behind the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Outperform

A thumping goal into the net that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging club reign. Despite the negativity around the coach it was his team that played with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The first back-to-back league wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side once more appeared like unfamiliar at points, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Quick Goal Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable 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 the winger in space on the right flank. the defender was late to react, the centre-back delayed to recover and mark the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

Slot could reasonably point to his decisions and wonder why the foul was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the focus and communication among his backline. Mbeumo’s goal means the side have kept only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent coming many matches previously at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

United exposed Liverpool’s left flank frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the away team's lead. Releasing the winger early against the full-back was clearly part of the manager's strategy. It succeeded time and again in the first half. The £40 million new arrival from his former club endured a further tough evening in a club jersey. Set-pieces were also a problem for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who nearly sent Mbeumo in on goal while making one interception. Kerkez and the captain seem on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” Slot explained after United’s victory. “Following the second half we had six or seven offensive players on the field. That’s perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to do better.”