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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a £125m Liverpool centre forward, the Liverpool head coach remarked on Friday. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the English top-flight title holders attempted unsuccessfully to force an leveler versus their rivals in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that earned the fiercest criticism at the stadium. His defensive foundation has evaporated.

Anonymous Display from Key Attackers

Indeed, Isak was predominantly anonymous in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger again poor as his individual toils persisted versus the club he typically scores against. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the first half, well saved by the opposition's latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward squandered a glorious second-half chance facing the home end and neither protest when their numbers were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Opportunities

It should have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated so many opportunities, Slot remarked. But it is not impossible with a defence in current state, as one opponent, another rival and now Manchester United have demonstrated.

Defensive Breakdown During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's head coach, the first man to do so after a previous manager in years past, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that invited United to seize control as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on fixing following the pause, featuring yet another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the home side when the substitute cancelled out the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could feel another last-minute victory with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and another forward igniting progress and the opposition in retreat. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece frailties re-emerged and Maguire found himself one of three United players free past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Rivals Excel

A thumping goal into the goal that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging club reign. For all the negativity around the coach it was his squad that played with obvious strategy and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s team once more looked like strangers at times, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were found wanting from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a probable result of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, the centre-back slow to recover and follow Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured Alisson in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Questions

Slot could justifiably question his decisions and ask why the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the focus and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s goal indicates the side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the most recent coming eight games ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

United carved open the left side repeatedly in a first half in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and also the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ lead. Sending the winger quickly against Kerkez was obviously part of the manager's tactic. It worked time and again in the first 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from his former club experienced a further difficult match in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who almost put the forward in on goal while attempting an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” the head coach commented after United’s win. “Following the second half we had six or seven offensive players on the field. That’s maybe why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to do better.”