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The time has come to start judging Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Liverpool centre forward, Arne Slot stated on Friday. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the Premier League title holders struggled to secure an leveler against Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that deserved the strongest criticism at the stadium. His defence has vanished.

Quiet Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly anonymous in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his individual toils continued versus the team he typically plunders. The Swedish international had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds player in the first half, well saved by United’s latest goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward squandered a glorious after the break chance in front of the Kop and neither complain when their numbers eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Unthinkable Defeat Despite Chances

It seemed unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a game in which they created so many opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a backline in current state, as one opponent, another rival and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Breakdown During Pressure

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to achieve this since a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that allowed the visitors to dominate as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Littered with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on solving following the pause, featuring yet another set-piece score, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime recovery and cost them the game.

Momentum Lost Even with Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the home side when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. Liverpool could sense another last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward igniting improvement and United in defensive mode. Rather, it was another late top-flight loss, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition members unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Organized Opposition Excel

A thumping header into the net that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the finest victory of his challenging club reign. Despite the criticism around Amorim it was his team that played with definite plan and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The first back-to-back league victories of Amorim’s reign were the outcome. The Liverpool side once more appeared like strangers at points, particularly when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were found wanting from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the first attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable consequence of having to go through two players to reach the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. the defender was slow to respond, Van Dijk slow to recover and mark the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could justifiably point to his decisions and ask where the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his backline. The forward's goal means the side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches so far, the last coming eight games previously at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open the left side frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and even Gakpo all came close to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Sending the winger early against Kerkez was clearly part of the manager's gameplan. It succeeded time and again in the opening half. The £40 million new arrival from his former club endured another difficult evening in a club jersey. Set-pieces were also a problem for the previous player's replacement, who almost sent the forward through while attempting an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of gambles,” the head coach commented after United’s victory. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive members on the field. That’s perhaps why our organization for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have additional defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”