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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Anfield striker, Arne Slot remarked on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s most expensive player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League champions tried in vain to secure an leveler versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring offence that deserved the harshest criticism at Anfield. The team's backline structure has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Star Forwards

Indeed, Isak was mostly anonymous in the No 9 role and the Egyptian winger again poor as his personal struggles continued versus the team he typically scores against. The Swedish player had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool player in the first half, well saved by the opposition's new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah missed a golden second-half chance in front of the Kop and neither complain when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It should have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated so many chances, the manager stated. But it is not impossible with a defence in current state, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently United have demonstrated.

Backline Collapse Under Pressure

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as the club's manager, the first person to do so since Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have despaired at a backline effort that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had worked on fixing following the international break, including yet another dead-ball score, it was a performance that totally undermined the champions’ second half recovery and cost them the match.

Advantage Squandered Despite Improvement

Momentum was at last with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. Liverpool could sense one more last-minute victory with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and United in retreat. Rather, it was another last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself among several opposition players unmarked past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful goal into the net that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s tie gave the United manager the finest victory of his challenging United reign. For all the negativity surrounding the coach it was his team that performed with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The first consecutive Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool team again appeared like unfamiliar at points, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the finish of the attacker's 62-second opener. There was no purchase on the initial header from the captain, a likely result of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and released the winger in open area on the right. the defender was late to respond, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

The manager could justifiably point to his head and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the focus and communication among his defenders. The forward's goal means Slot’s side have managed only two clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the last coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and even Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's lead. Releasing Diallo quickly against the full-back was clearly part of Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from his former club experienced another difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put Mbeumo through while attempting an challenge. Kerkez and the captain appear on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” the head coach commented following United’s win. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive players on the pitch. That’s perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”