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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Liverpool centre forward, the Liverpool head coach commented on the weekend. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s highest-priced footballer was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to secure an leveler against Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's misfiring forward line that deserved the harshest blame at Anfield. The team's defence has vanished.

Quiet Display from Key Attackers

Indeed, Isak was mostly unnoticeable in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his personal struggles continued against the club he typically scores against. The Sweden player had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds player in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. The forward squandered a golden second-half chance facing the home end and could not complain when their substitution were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably was unable to score a another goal shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they created plenty of opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in this form, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive defeat as the club's head coach, the first man to achieve this since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that invited the visitors to take the initiative as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had focused on eradicating after the pause, including another set-piece score, it was a display that totally undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and lost them the match.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and United in retreat. Instead, it was another late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself among several United players free past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful header into the net that the player missed in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging United reign. Despite the criticism around Amorim it was his squad that played with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side again appeared like strangers at points, especially when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were exposed from the start to the finish of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable consequence of having to go through opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and released the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, Van Dijk slow to track back and follow the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the concentration and communication levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s goal indicates the team have kept only two clean sheets in 12 matches so far, the most recent coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

United carved open Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also the attacker all came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Sending Diallo early versus the full-back was obviously part of the manager's gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth endured another difficult evening in a club shirt. Set-pieces were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who nearly sent the forward in on goal while making one challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” the head coach commented following United’s victory. “After the second half we had six or seven attacking members on the pitch. This is perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”