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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a £125 million Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach commented on the weekend. As such, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's most expensive player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight champions attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that deserved the strongest criticism at Anfield. The team's backline structure has vanished.

Quiet Performance from Star Forwards

Indeed, the Swedish striker was predominantly unnoticeable in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils persisted against the club he usually scores against. The Sweden player had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah wasted a excellent second-half opportunity in front of the home end and neither complain when their substitution came up. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to net a second shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat Despite Chances

It should have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a match in which they created plenty of opportunities, the manager claimed. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently United have proven.

Defensive Collapse Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as the club's head coach, the first man to achieve this since Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defensive performance that invited United to dominate as well as their initial win at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the same mistakes that the team's management had focused on eradicating following the pause, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a display that completely derailed the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the game.

Advantage Lost Even with Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could feel another late victory with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and another forward sparking improvement and United in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties re-emerged and Maguire found himself among several United players unmarked behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Outperform

A thumping header into the net that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging club tenure. For all the negativity surrounding the coach it was his team that played with definite plan and a well-executed plan for the majority of a thrilling contest. The initial back-to-back league victories of Amorim’s reign were the result. Slot’s side again looked like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the division this season.

Early Opener Reveals Defensive Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the first attempt from the captain, a probable result of having to pass two players to reach the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right. the defender was slow to respond, Van Dijk slow to track back and follow Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Alisson in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

Slot could justifiably point to his head and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the focus and coordination levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike indicates Slot’s team have managed only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches so far, the most recent coming eight games previously at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors exposed Liverpool’s left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all came close to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing the winger quickly versus Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked repeatedly in the opening half. The £40m summer signing from his former club endured another tough evening in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo through while making one challenge. The defender and the captain seem on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Admission

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” Slot explained after United’s win. “After the second half we had six or seven attacking members on the field. That’s perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”