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Now is the moment to begin evaluating Alexander Isak justly as a £125 million Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot commented on Friday. Therefore, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League title holders tried in vain to force an leveler versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming attack that earned the harshest blame at the stadium. His defence has disappeared.

Quiet Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was mostly anonymous in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his personal struggles persisted versus the team he often plunders. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Liverpool player in the first half, well saved by the opposition's latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah missed a excellent second-half opportunity in front of the Kop and neither complain when their substitution were shown. The Dutch attacker also struck the crossbar three times and somehow failed to net a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Unthinkable Defeat Despite Chances

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to lose a match in which they generated so many opportunities, the manager claimed. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth successive loss as the club's manager, the first person to achieve this after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have felt dismayed at a backline effort that invited United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground in nearly a decade. Littered with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on solving following the international break, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Uptick

The upper hand was at last with the home side when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could sense one more late win with substitutes 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 set-piece frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself among several opposition members free past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A thumping goal into the net that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his challenging club reign. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his team that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The first back-to-back league wins of the manager's reign were the outcome. Slot’s team once more looked like unfamiliar at times, particularly when conceding a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the initial attempt from the captain, a probable consequence of having to go through opponents to connect with the pass, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was slow to respond, the centre-back slow to track back and mark Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

The manager could justifiably point to his head and wonder where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the concentration and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s goal means the team have kept only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches so far, the last coming eight games ago at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and even the attacker all came close to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing Diallo quickly against the full-back was clearly part of the manager's gameplan. It succeeded time and again in the first half. The £40 million new arrival from his former club experienced another difficult match in a club jersey. Throw-ins were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo through while attempting an interception. The defender and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” Slot commented after United’s win. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven offensive members on the pitch. That’s maybe why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defensive personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”