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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Liverpool striker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on the weekend. As such, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League title holders tried in vain to secure an equaliser against Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's misfiring forward line that earned the harshest blame at Anfield. His backline structure has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was largely anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah subpar once more as his difficulties persisted against the club he often scores against. The Sweden international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by United’s latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah missed a glorious second-half chance in front of the Kop and neither protest when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to score a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It should have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a game in which they created plenty of chances, the manager claimed. But it is not impossible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and currently Manchester United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as the club's head coach, the first person to achieve this since Brendan Rodgers in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the identical errors that the team's management had worked on fixing after the pause, including another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime recovery and cost them the game.

Advantage Lost Despite Uptick

The upper hand was at last with the home side when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. Liverpool could feel one more late victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and United in defensive mode. Rather, it was another last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three United players free past Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A thumping goal into the net that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club tenure. For all the negativity around the coach it was his team that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a thrilling contest. The initial consecutive Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side again appeared like unfamiliar at times, particularly when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Early Goal Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were found wanting from the start to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was little impact 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 open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to react, the centre-back delayed to recover and follow Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

Slot could reasonably question his head and ask why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the concentration and coordination levels his defenders. The forward's goal indicates the side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches so far, the most recent coming eight games previously at another ground.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

The visitors exposed Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the away team's advantage. Sending Diallo early against Kerkez was clearly part of the manager's gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from his former club endured a further tough evening in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were even a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo through while making one challenge. The defender and the captain seem on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” the head coach commented after United’s win. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking members on the pitch. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have more defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to do better.”