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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Liverpool striker, Arne Slot stated on the weekend. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League title holders struggled to secure an equaliser versus their rivals without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that earned the fiercest blame at Anfield. The team's defensive foundation has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Star Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely unnoticeable in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his individual toils continued against the team he typically scores against. The Swedish player had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds player in the first half, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward squandered a excellent after the break chance in front of the Kop and neither complain when their numbers came up. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to net a another goal moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Chances

It should have been unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated numerous opportunities, Slot stated. But it is possible with a defence in this form, as Crystal Palace, another rival and currently Manchester United have proven.

Backline Collapse During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth successive loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to do so since a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have felt dismayed at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade. Littered with the same mistakes that the team's coaching staff had focused on fixing following the international break, including another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' second half recovery and cost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was at last with the home side when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. Liverpool could feel one more late win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa sparking improvement and United in retreat. Rather, it was another last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself one of three opposition members free behind the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A thumping header into the goal that the player missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the finest victory of his challenging United reign. For all the criticism around the coach it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed approach for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The first consecutive Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s team once more looked like unfamiliar at times, particularly when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Quick Opener Exposes Defensive Flaws

The home side were found wanting from the inception to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable consequence of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and released the winger in space on the right. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk delayed to recover and follow Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

The manager could justifiably question his head and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the focus and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s strike means the team have kept only two clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the last coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and even Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the away team's advantage. Releasing the winger quickly versus Kerkez was clearly in Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million new arrival from his former club endured a further tough match in a club jersey. Throw-ins were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly put the forward through while making one interception. The defender and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“We take a lot of risks,” the head coach commented after United’s win. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the field. This is maybe why our structure for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”