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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's most expensive footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League title holders struggled to force an equaliser versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring forward line that warranted the strongest blame at Anfield. The team's defence has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Star Forwards

Indeed, Isak was largely quiet in the centre-forward role and Salah disappointing again as his personal struggles persisted against the team he typically scores against. The Swedish international had his first attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the first half, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. The forward wasted a golden after the break chance facing the Kop and neither protest when their numbers were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and somehow failed to net a another goal shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat Despite Chances

It ought to have been impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a game in which they created so many chances, Slot remarked. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth successive loss as the club's manager, the first man to achieve this after a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the repeated issues that the team's management had focused on eradicating after the international break, featuring yet another dead-ball score, it was a performance that totally undermined the champions’ second half comeback and cost them the match.

Advantage Squandered Despite Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the home side when the substitute equalized the forward's early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could sense one more late victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and United in defensive mode. Rather, it was a further late top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three opposition members free past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest victory of his challenging United reign. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the result. The Liverpool side again appeared like strangers at points, especially when allowing a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Early Goal Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely result of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and passed to the winger in space on the right flank. the defender was slow to respond, the centre-back delayed to recover and follow the forward's run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could justifiably point to his head and ask why the whistle was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the focus and coordination levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s goal means Slot’s team have managed only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches so far, the last occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's advantage. Sending the winger early against Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked repeatedly in the opening half. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth experienced a further difficult evening in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's replacement, who nearly put Mbeumo through while attempting an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“We take a many risks,” the head coach explained after United’s victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”