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The time has come to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest footballer sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming forward line that earned the strongest criticism at Anfield. His defensive foundation has evaporated.

Anonymous Performance from Star Forwards

Indeed, the Swedish striker was predominantly anonymous in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his individual toils continued versus the club he usually plunders. The Sweden international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah wasted a glorious after the break opportunity in front of the home end and could not complain when their substitution eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to score a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to lose a game in which they created numerous opportunities, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and currently United have shown.

Backline Collapse Under Pressure

While overseeing a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so after a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defence display that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s management had worked on fixing after the pause, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime recovery and lost them the game.

Momentum Lost Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could sense another last-minute victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight loss, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself one of three United members free past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Outperform

A thumping header into the goal that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the finest win of his turbulent United tenure. Despite the criticism surrounding Amorim it was his squad that performed with definite plan and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The initial consecutive league wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s team once more appeared like strangers at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the division this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were found wanting from the start to the execution of the attacker's 62-second opener. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to reach the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was late to respond, the centre-back delayed to recover and mark Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

Slot could justifiably point to his decisions and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the focus and coordination levels his defenders. The forward's strike means Slot’s side have managed only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring many matches previously at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Defensive Side

United exposed Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ lead. Sending the winger quickly against the full-back was clearly in Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from his former club endured another tough evening in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were also a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly put the forward through while making one interception. The defender and the captain seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Manager’s Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many risks,” the head coach explained after United’s victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking members on the field. This is maybe why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Normally we would have additional defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. We know we have to do better.”