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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Liverpool centre forward, the Liverpool head coach remarked on Friday. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's highest-priced player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight title holders attempted unsuccessfully to force an leveler versus their rivals without them, it was not the manager's underperforming offence that deserved the harshest criticism at the stadium. His defensive foundation has vanished.

Quiet Display from Key Attackers

Indeed, Isak was largely unnoticeable in the centre-forward position and Salah subpar once more as his difficulties persisted versus the team he often plunders. The Sweden player had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah wasted a golden after the break opportunity facing the Kop and could not protest when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a game in which they generated plenty of chances, the manager stated. But it is possible with a defence in this form, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently United have demonstrated.

Defensive Breakdown Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's manager, the first person to do so after a previous manager in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a backline effort that allowed United to dominate as well as their first victory at the ground in nearly a decade. Littered with the identical errors that the team's coaching staff had focused on fixing following the pause, including yet another dead-ball score, it was a display that completely derailed the champions’ after halftime recovery and lost them the game.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized the forward's early opener. The Merseyside club could feel one more late win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several United members free past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A thumping goal into the goal that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest victory of his turbulent United tenure. For all the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that played with obvious strategy and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. The Liverpool team again looked like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the Premier League the current campaign.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the inception to the execution of the attacker's 62-second opener. There was no purchase on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely result of having to pass two players to reach the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and released the winger in open area on the right. the defender was slow to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and follow Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

Slot could reasonably point to his decisions and wonder where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his defenders. The forward's strike indicates the side have kept only two clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the last occurring eight games previously at another ground.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

United carved open the left flank frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all came close to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Releasing Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked repeatedly in the first half. The £40m summer signing from his former club endured a further tough match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were also a issue for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who almost sent the forward through while attempting an challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“We take a many gambles,” Slot commented following United’s win. “After the second half we had multiple offensive members on the field. That’s maybe why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive players on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”