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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Liverpool centre forward, Arne Slot stated on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus their rivals without them, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that deserved the strongest scrutiny at Anfield. The team's defensive foundation has vanished.

Quiet Display from Key Attackers

Yes, Isak was largely anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah again poor as his personal struggles continued versus the club he usually scores against. The Sweden player had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah squandered a golden after the break opportunity in front of the Kop and could not complain when their numbers came up. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a game in which they generated numerous opportunities, Slot remarked. But it is not impossible with a backline in this form, as Crystal Palace, another rival and currently United have shown.

Backline Breakdown During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth successive defeat as Liverpool head coach, the first person to achieve this after a previous manager in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a backline effort that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating after the international break, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the match.

Advantage Lost Even with Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the hosts when the substitute equalized the forward's quick breakthrough. Liverpool could sense another last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties re-emerged and Maguire found himself among several opposition members unmarked past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Excel

A thumping header into the net that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of last season’s tie gave the United manager the best win of his challenging club reign. Despite the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his squad that played with clear purpose and a well-executed approach for the majority of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side once more appeared like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Early Goal Exposes Backline Flaws

The home side were lacking from the start to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to connect with the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, Van Dijk delayed to recover and mark the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Questions

Slot could reasonably point to his decisions and ask where the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike indicates Slot’s side have kept only two shutouts in a dozen games this season, the last coming eight games previously at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

United carved open the left side repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Sending Diallo early versus Kerkez was clearly part of the manager's gameplan. It succeeded time and again in the opening half. The £40 million summer signing from his former club experienced a further difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who almost sent the forward through while attempting one interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at the moment.

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 players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have more defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”