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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on the weekend. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s most expensive player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the Premier League champions tried in vain to force an leveler versus their rivals without them, it was not the manager's underperforming offence that warranted the strongest criticism at the stadium. The team's backline structure has vanished.

Anonymous Display from Key Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was largely anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah again poor as his personal struggles persisted versus the team he often scores against. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Reds player in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah missed a golden second-half opportunity in front of the home end and could not complain when their numbers eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar three times and somehow was unable to net a another goal shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Opportunities

It should have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated plenty of opportunities, Slot remarked. But it is possible with a backline in current state, as one opponent, another rival and now Manchester United have proven.

Backline Breakdown During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as the club's head coach, the first man to achieve this after Brendan Rodgers in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on solving following the international break, including another dead-ball score, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime recovery and cost them the game.

Momentum Lost Even with Improvement

Momentum was finally with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. Liverpool could feel one more late win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition members unmarked behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that the player missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the best victory of his challenging United tenure. Despite the negativity around Amorim it was his squad that played with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The first back-to-back league victories of the manager's time in charge were the result. The Liverpool team again appeared like strangers at points, especially when conceding a dead-ball score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Goal Reveals Defensive Issues

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the execution of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a probable result of having to go through opponents to reach the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and passed to Amad Diallo in open area on the right flank. the defender was late to respond, the centre-back slow to recover and follow Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably question his head and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s goal means Slot’s team have kept only two shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring many matches ago at Burnley.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

The visitors carved open the left flank frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and even Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's advantage. Releasing Diallo quickly against Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s strategy. It succeeded repeatedly in the first half. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth experienced another difficult match in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were also a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent the forward in on goal while attempting an challenge. Kerkez and the captain appear on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” Slot explained following United’s victory. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple offensive players on the field. That’s maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”