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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Anfield attacker, Arne Slot stated on Friday. As such, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s costliest player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the English top-flight title holders struggled to secure an leveler against their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring attack that warranted the harshest blame at the stadium. The team's defensive foundation has vanished.

Anonymous Performance from Star Forwards

Yes, Isak was predominantly unnoticeable in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties persisted versus the team he often plunders. The Swedish international had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the first half, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward missed a golden second-half chance facing the Kop and neither complain when their numbers were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork three times and inexplicably failed to net a second shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat Despite Chances

It should have been unthinkable for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they created so many opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently Manchester United have proven.

Defensive Breakdown During Pressure

While overseeing a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool manager, the first person to achieve this after a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have felt dismayed at a defence display that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the identical errors that the team's management had focused on fixing after the pause, including another dead-ball goal, it was a display that completely derailed the title holders' after halftime comeback and lost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Despite Uptick

Momentum was at last with the home side when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. Liverpool could feel another last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward igniting progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further late top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several United members free past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that Maguire missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the finest win of his challenging United tenure. Despite the negativity around Amorim it was his squad that played with definite plan and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The initial consecutive league victories of Amorim’s reign were the result. The Liverpool team once more looked like unfamiliar at times, particularly when conceding a dead-ball score for the fifth time in the division this season.

Early Opener Exposes Defensive Flaws

The home side were lacking from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a probable consequence of having to pass two players to connect with the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker 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 recover and mark Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

The manager could justifiably question his head and wonder why the foul was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the focus and communication levels his backline. The forward's goal indicates the side have managed only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the last coming many matches previously at another ground.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

United exposed Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ lead. Sending Diallo quickly versus the full-back was clearly in the manager's gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from his former club experienced another tough match in a club shirt. Throw-ins were also a problem for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo in on goal while attempting an challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” the head coach explained following the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking players on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”