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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak justly as a £125 million Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach stated on Friday. As such, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League title holders struggled to secure an leveler versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that warranted the harshest blame at the stadium. The team's defensive foundation has evaporated.

Quiet Performance from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was mostly quiet in the No 9 position and Salah again poor as his difficulties continued against the team he often plunders. The Sweden international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the first half, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. The forward squandered a excellent after the break opportunity in front of the Kop and could not protest when their numbers eventually. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar three times and somehow was unable to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat Despite Opportunities

It should have been impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they created numerous chances, Slot claimed. But it is not impossible with a defence in this form, as one opponent, another rival and currently Manchester United have demonstrated.

Defensive Breakdown During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight defeat as Liverpool head coach, the first person to achieve this since a previous manager in years past, Slot must have felt dismayed at a backline effort that invited United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on solving after the pause, featuring yet another set-piece score, it was a display that totally undermined the title holders' second half recovery and cost them the game.

Advantage Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel another late win with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and another forward igniting improvement and United in retreat. Instead, it was another late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and Maguire found himself among several opposition players free behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A powerful header into the goal that Maguire missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best win of his turbulent club reign. For all the negativity around the coach it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The first consecutive Premier League wins of Amorim’s reign were the result. Slot’s team once more appeared like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Goal Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to reach the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and released the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, the centre-back slow to recover and follow the forward's run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

Slot could justifiably question his decisions and wonder why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also question the concentration and coordination among his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike indicates Slot’s side have managed only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring many matches previously at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

United exposed the left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and even the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ lead. Sending Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s strategy. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40m summer signing from his former club experienced a further tough match in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were even a issue for the previous player's replacement, who almost sent the forward in on goal while making one challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” Slot explained following United’s victory. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”