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It is now appropriate to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a £125m Anfield attacker, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. Therefore, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the English top-flight champions struggled to force an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring forward line that deserved the fiercest blame at the stadium. The team's backline structure has vanished.

Anonymous Performance from Key Forwards

Indeed, Isak was largely quiet in the centre-forward role and Salah disappointing again as his difficulties persisted versus the club he usually scores against. The Swedish international had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool player in the first half, smartly stopped by the opposition's new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah missed a excellent second-half opportunity facing the Kop and could not complain when their substitution came up. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork three times and inexplicably failed to net a another goal moments after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss In Spite of Chances

It seemed unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated so many opportunities, the manager stated. But it is not impossible with a defence in this form, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently Manchester United have proven.

Defensive Collapse Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive defeat as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so since a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have felt dismayed at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to dominate as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had focused on eradicating after the international break, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' second half comeback and cost them the match.

Momentum Lost Despite Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. Liverpool could sense another last-minute win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was another late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition members unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping header into the goal that the player missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent club tenure. Despite the criticism around Amorim it was his squad that played with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented approach for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. Slot’s side again appeared like strangers at points, especially when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Opener Exposes Defensive Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was no purchase on the first attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable result of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to the winger in space on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, the centre-back slow to recover and mark the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

Slot could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his defenders. The forward's strike indicates the side have managed only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches so far, the last coming many matches previously at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

United exposed the left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and even the attacker all came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Sending the winger early versus the full-back was obviously part of the manager's strategy. It worked time and again in the first half. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth experienced a further tough evening in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a issue for the previous player's replacement, who nearly sent the forward through while making an interception. The defender and the captain seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” the head coach commented following United’s win. “After the second half we had multiple offensive members on the pitch. That’s maybe why our organization for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Normally we would have additional defensive players on the field. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”