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The time has come to start judging Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Liverpool striker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on the weekend. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's highest-priced footballer was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League champions tried in vain to secure an leveler versus Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming attack that deserved the strongest blame at the stadium. His defensive foundation has evaporated.

Quiet Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly anonymous in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his difficulties persisted versus the club he usually scores against. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the first half, excellently denied by United’s latest goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward wasted a golden second-half opportunity facing the Kop and could not complain when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and somehow failed to score a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Chances

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to lose a game in which they created plenty of chances, Slot remarked. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's head coach, the first man to do so since Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have despaired at a defensive performance that invited United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the same mistakes that the team's management had focused on eradicating after the pause, including another set-piece score, it was a display that totally undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and lost them the match.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the home side when Gakpo equalized the forward's early opener. Liverpool could sense another last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and United in retreat. Rather, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three United players unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Organized Rivals Outperform

A thumping goal into the net that the player missed in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club reign. For all the negativity around the coach it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented approach for the majority of a compelling encounter. The initial consecutive league victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. The Liverpool side again appeared like unfamiliar at times, particularly when conceding a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the finish of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was no purchase on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a probable result of having to pass opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, the centre-back slow to track back and mark Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could reasonably question his head and ask where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the concentration and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s strike indicates Slot’s team have kept only a couple of shutouts in a dozen games so far, the last occurring eight games previously at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

United carved open Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Releasing the winger early against the full-back was obviously part of Amorim’s strategy. It succeeded time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from his former club experienced another difficult match in a club jersey. Set-pieces were also a issue for the previous player's replacement, who almost put Mbeumo through while attempting an interception. The defender and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a many risks,” Slot commented following United’s victory. “After the second half we had multiple offensive members on the pitch. That’s perhaps 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 not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”