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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, Arne Slot commented on Friday. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight title holders struggled to secure an leveler versus their rivals without them, it was not the manager's underperforming forward line that warranted the harshest blame at the stadium. His backline structure has evaporated.

Anonymous Display from Star Forwards

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly anonymous in the No 9 position and Salah subpar once more as his personal struggles continued against the club he usually scores against. The Swedish player had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by the opposition's latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah wasted a golden after the break chance in front of the Kop and could not complain when their substitution eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork three times and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat Despite Chances

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to lose a game in which they created numerous chances, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently United have shown.

Backline Breakdown During Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as the club's head coach, the first person to do so after Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have despaired at a defence display that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that the team's coaching staff had focused on fixing after the international break, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime comeback and lost them the game.

Advantage Lost Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out the forward's quick breakthrough. Liverpool could feel another last-minute win with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and United in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself one of three opposition members free past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Outperform

A thumping goal into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the best win of his turbulent United reign. For all the negativity around Amorim it was his team that performed with definite plan and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a compelling contest. The first consecutive Premier League victories of the manager's time in charge were the result. Slot’s side once more looked like strangers at points, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League the current campaign.

Early Goal Reveals Defensive Flaws

The home side were lacking from the start to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right. the defender was slow to react, the centre-back slow to track back and follow the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

The manager could reasonably question his head and wonder where the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also question the concentration and coordination levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike means Slot’s team have kept only two shutouts in 12 matches this season, the last coming many matches ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and even Gakpo all came close to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was obviously part of the manager's strategy. It worked time and again in the opening half. The £40m summer signing from his former club endured another difficult evening in a club shirt. Throw-ins were also a problem for the previous player's replacement, who nearly put Mbeumo through while attempting an interception. The defender and the captain appear on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” the head coach explained after the opposition's win. “After the second half we had multiple attacking members on the field. That’s perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defending players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”