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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Anfield centre forward, the Liverpool head coach stated on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions struggled to force an equaliser against Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that earned the fiercest scrutiny at Anfield. His defence has disappeared.

Quiet Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, Isak was largely anonymous in the No 9 position and Salah again poor as his personal struggles continued versus the team he usually scores against. The Sweden international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Reds member in the first half, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward squandered a excellent second-half chance facing the home end and could not complain when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also struck the woodwork three times and inexplicably failed to net a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Impossible Defeat Despite Opportunities

It should have been unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they created so many chances, the manager stated. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently Manchester United have proven.

Defensive Breakdown Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to do so after a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade. Littered with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had focused on solving following the international break, featuring yet another dead-ball goal, it was a display that totally undermined the champions’ after halftime recovery and cost them the match.

Momentum Lost Despite Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized the forward's early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute win with replacements one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Organized Rivals Outperform

A powerful goal into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent United tenure. For all the criticism around Amorim it was his squad that played with definite plan and a well-executed approach for the majority of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. Slot’s side once more appeared like strangers at times, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Early Opener Reveals Defensive Issues

The home side were lacking from the inception to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a probable consequence of having to go through opponents to connect with the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and released the winger in open area on the right. the defender was late to respond, the centre-back slow to track back and follow the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

Slot could reasonably question his decisions and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the concentration and coordination levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s goal means Slot’s team have kept only two shutouts in a dozen games so far, the most recent coming many matches ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

United carved open the left side frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Sending Diallo early against Kerkez was obviously in Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the first half. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth experienced another difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were also a problem for the previous player's replacement, who almost sent Mbeumo in on goal while attempting an challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” the head coach commented following the opposition's win. “After the second half we had six or seven attacking players on the pitch. This is maybe why our structure for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the field. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”