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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Liverpool centre forward, Arne Slot stated on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s highest-priced footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an leveler versus their rivals without them, it was not the manager's underperforming forward line that warranted the fiercest blame at the stadium. His defensive foundation has evaporated.

Quiet Performance from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely quiet in the No 9 role and Salah subpar once more as his individual toils persisted against the team he often scores against. The Sweden player had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah wasted a excellent after the break opportunity in front of the Kop and could not protest when their substitution eventually. The Dutch attacker also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably failed to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It should have been unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a match in which they created numerous chances, Slot stated. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently Manchester United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first person to achieve this after a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have been frustrated at a backline effort that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s management had focused on solving following the international break, including yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when the substitute equalized the forward's quick opener. The Merseyside club could sense another late win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was another last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three United members unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Excel

A thumping header into the goal that the player blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his turbulent United tenure. For all the negativity around the coach it was his team that played with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive league wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side once more looked like unfamiliar at points, especially when conceding a dead-ball goal for the fifth time in the division this season.

Quick Opener Reveals Backline Flaws

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in space on the right. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk slow to recover and mark the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

Slot could justifiably question his head and wonder where the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the concentration and coordination levels his defenders. The forward's strike indicates Slot’s side have managed only two clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring many matches ago at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United exposed Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ lead. Sending the winger early versus Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked time and again in the first 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced another difficult match in a Liverpool jersey. Set-pieces were also a problem for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly sent the forward through while making one interception. Kerkez and the captain seem on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” Slot commented following United’s win. “Following the second half we had six or seven attacking members on the pitch. This is maybe why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we typically are. Normally we would have additional defending players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”