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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak fairly as a £125 million Liverpool centre forward, Arne Slot remarked on the weekend. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the English top-flight champions attempted unsuccessfully to force an equaliser versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring attack that earned the fiercest scrutiny at the stadium. His defence has evaporated.

Quiet Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was mostly anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah subpar once more as his difficulties persisted versus the club he often scores against. The Sweden player had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by United’s new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a glorious second-half opportunity in front of the Kop and could not complain when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Opportunities

It should have been impossible for Liverpool to lose a game in which they created so many chances, the manager claimed. But it is not impossible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and now United have shown.

Defensive Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight defeat as the club's manager, the first man to do so since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have been frustrated at a backline effort that invited United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating after the international break, featuring another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime recovery and lost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the home side when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could sense one more last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking progress and United in retreat. Instead, it was a further late Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself among several opposition players unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful header into the net that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging United reign. Despite the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that played with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the majority of a thrilling contest. The initial back-to-back league victories of the manager's time in charge were the result. The Liverpool side once more appeared like strangers at points, particularly when allowing a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the division this season.

Early Goal Exposes Backline Flaws

The home side were exposed from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a likely result of having to pass opponents to connect with the ball, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in space on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to react, the centre-back delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured Alisson in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

Slot could justifiably question his head and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the focus and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s goal indicates Slot’s team have kept only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games so far, the last occurring many matches ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even the attacker all came close to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Sending the winger quickly against Kerkez was obviously part of the manager's tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth experienced a further tough match in a club jersey. Set-pieces were also a problem for the previous player's replacement, who nearly put Mbeumo in on goal while making an interception. Kerkez and the captain appear on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” Slot explained following the opposition's win. “Following the second half we had six or seven attacking players on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have additional defensive personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”