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The time has come to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League title holders tried in vain to force an leveler against Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming forward line that warranted the fiercest criticism at the stadium. His backline structure has disappeared.

Quiet Performance from Key Forwards

Yes, the Swedish striker was largely quiet in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his difficulties persisted against the club he often plunders. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Reds player in the first half, excellently denied by the opposition's new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah squandered a golden second-half chance in front of the home end and neither complain when their substitution came up. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and inexplicably failed to net a another goal shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It seemed impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated numerous chances, the manager stated. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and currently United have proven.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as the club's head coach, the first person to do so since a previous manager in years past, the coach must have despaired at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to seize control as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s management had worked on fixing after the international break, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally undermined the title holders' after halftime recovery and cost them the game.

Advantage Lost Even with Improvement

Momentum was at last with the home side when the substitute equalized the forward's quick breakthrough. The Merseyside club could sense another late victory with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and United in retreat. Instead, it was another last-gasp Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Outperform

A thumping header into the net that the player missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the finest victory of his turbulent club reign. For all the negativity around Amorim it was his squad that played with clear purpose and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive league wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side again appeared like unfamiliar at times, especially when conceding a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the Premier League the current campaign.

Early Opener Exposes Defensive Flaws

Liverpool were lacking from the inception to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the first header from the captain, a probable result of having to go through opponents to reach the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, Van Dijk slow to track back and mark the forward's run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus 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 among his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike indicates the team have managed only two shutouts in 12 matches this season, the last occurring many matches ago at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all came close to increasing the visitors’ lead. Releasing Diallo quickly against Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth endured another difficult evening in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were also a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo through while making an interception. Kerkez and the captain appear on different wavelengths at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Admission

“We take a many risks,” the head coach explained following United’s victory. “Following the second half we had six or seven attacking players on the field. That’s perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”