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Now is the moment to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. As such, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight champions struggled to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's misfiring forward line that deserved the strongest scrutiny at Anfield. His defence has vanished.

Quiet Performance from Star Forwards

Indeed, the Swedish striker was mostly unnoticeable in the centre-forward role and Salah again poor as his individual toils continued versus the team he usually scores against. The Swedish international had his first shot on target in the top division as a Liverpool member in the first half, well saved by the opposition's latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah wasted a glorious second-half chance in front of the Kop and could not protest when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar three times and somehow was unable to score a second moments after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to lose a match in which they generated so many chances, the manager remarked. But it is not impossible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have despaired at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on eradicating following the international break, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the champions’ after halftime comeback and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Even with Uptick

Momentum was at last with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. Liverpool could sense another last-minute victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward igniting improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was another last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties re-emerged and Maguire found himself one of three United members unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the finest win of his challenging club reign. For all the criticism around Amorim it was his squad that played with clear purpose and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool team again looked like unfamiliar at points, particularly when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth time in the division this season.

Quick Opener Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the initial header from the captain, a probable result of having to pass two players to reach the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk delayed to track back and follow Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

Slot could reasonably point to his decisions and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the focus and communication levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike means Slot’s side have kept only two shutouts in a dozen games so far, the most recent coming eight games ago at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

United exposed Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a first half in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ lead. Sending Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was obviously part of the manager's strategy. It worked repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth experienced a further tough match in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a issue for the previous player's replacement, who almost sent Mbeumo in on goal while attempting an interception. The defender and the captain appear on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” Slot commented following United’s win. “After the second half we had six or seven attacking players on the field. This is perhaps why our organization for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to do better.”