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It is now appropriate to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Liverpool striker, Arne Slot commented on Friday. As such, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders tried in vain to force an equaliser versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming attack that warranted the fiercest blame at Anfield. His backline structure has vanished.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was predominantly unnoticeable in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils persisted against the club he typically scores against. The Sweden international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward squandered a excellent second-half chance facing the Kop and neither protest when their substitution were shown. The Dutch attacker also struck the crossbar on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to score a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they created plenty of chances, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently United have proven.

Backline Breakdown During Pressure

While overseeing a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first person to do so after Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defence display that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that the team's management had worked on eradicating after the international break, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' second half recovery and cost them the match.

Advantage Lost Even with Improvement

Momentum was at last with the home side when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could sense another last-minute victory with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further late Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself one of three opposition players free behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful goal into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging United reign. For all the criticism surrounding Amorim it was his team that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed plan for the majority of a thrilling contest. The first back-to-back Premier League wins of Amorim’s reign were the result. Slot’s team again looked like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Quick Goal Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were found wanting from the inception to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to connect with the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, the centre-back delayed to recover and follow Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder why the whistle was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the concentration and communication levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s goal indicates the team have kept only two shutouts in a dozen games so far, the most recent occurring many matches ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

United carved open the left side frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Releasing Diallo quickly versus the full-back was clearly in the manager's tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million summer signing from his former club endured a further difficult evening in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly put Mbeumo through while making an challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Admission

“We take a many risks,” Slot commented following United’s win. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the pitch. That’s maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have more defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”