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The time has come to commence assessing Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Anfield striker, Arne Slot stated on the weekend. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus their rivals without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that deserved the fiercest scrutiny at Anfield. The team's defence has disappeared.

Quiet Display from Star Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely quiet in the No 9 role and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties continued against the club he usually plunders. The Sweden player had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds player in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward squandered a excellent second-half chance facing the home end and neither complain when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar three times and somehow was unable to net a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to lose a match in which they generated numerous chances, Slot remarked. But it is not impossible with a backline in current state, as one opponent, Chelsea and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Breakdown Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as the club's manager, the first man to do so after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have felt dismayed at a backline effort that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at the ground in nearly a decade. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on solving following the pause, including yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that totally derailed the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the home side when Gakpo equalized the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could sense one more last-minute win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Rather, it was another last-gasp Premier League loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several opposition members free behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A thumping goal into the goal that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club reign. For all the criticism surrounding Amorim it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The first consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's reign were the outcome. Slot’s side again appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Quick Goal Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were found wanting from the inception to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial header from the captain, a probable result of having to go through two players to reach the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was slow to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and follow Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

Slot could reasonably question his head and wonder why the whistle was from the referee, an official with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the concentration and communication among his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike indicates Slot’s side have kept only two shutouts in 12 matches this season, the last occurring many matches previously at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open the left side frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and even Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's lead. Sending Diallo early against the full-back was clearly part of Amorim’s gameplan. It worked time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced a further tough evening in a club shirt. Set-pieces were also a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put the forward in on goal while making an interception. The defender and the captain appear on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” Slot explained after United’s victory. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven offensive players 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 more defending personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”