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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's most expensive player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions tried in vain to force an leveler versus their rivals without them, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that warranted the fiercest blame at the stadium. His backline structure has evaporated.

Quiet Display from Key Forwards

Indeed, Isak was largely quiet in the No 9 role and the Egyptian winger again poor as his difficulties continued versus the team he often plunders. The Swedish player had his first shot on target in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by United’s latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah wasted a golden after the break opportunity in front of the Kop and neither complain when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to score a second moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they created numerous chances, the manager claimed. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and currently United have demonstrated.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so after a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed United to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had focused on fixing following the international break, including another dead-ball goal, it was a display that totally undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Lost Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the home side when the substitute cancelled out the forward's early opener. The Merseyside club could feel another late win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and United in retreat. Instead, it was a further last-gasp Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and Maguire found himself one of three United members unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A powerful header into the net that the player blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging club tenure. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his team that performed with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The initial back-to-back Premier League victories of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side once more appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Early Goal Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were lacking from the inception to the execution of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a likely result of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and passed to Amad Diallo in open area on the right flank. the defender was late to respond, the centre-back slow to track back and follow the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

The manager could reasonably question his head and ask where the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the focus and coordination among his defenders. Mbeumo’s goal indicates the side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the last occurring many matches previously at another ground.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors exposed the left side repeatedly in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Releasing Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was obviously in Amorim’s tactic. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced another difficult match in a club shirt. Set-pieces were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put Mbeumo in on goal while attempting an interception. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a many risks,” the head coach commented after the opposition's win. “After the second half we had multiple offensive players on the pitch. This is maybe why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”