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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot remarked on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the Premier League title holders tried in vain to force an leveler against Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that warranted the harshest criticism at Anfield. The team's backline structure has vanished.

Anonymous Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, Isak was predominantly anonymous in the No 9 position and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils continued against the team he usually scores against. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah missed a golden second-half chance facing the Kop and could not protest when their numbers eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar three times and somehow was unable to net a second shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Chances

It seemed impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated plenty of opportunities, Slot stated. But it is not impossible with a backline in such condition, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown During Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as Liverpool manager, the first person to achieve this since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have been frustrated at a backline effort that invited United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on solving following the international break, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a display that totally undermined the title holders' after halftime recovery and cost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could sense another last-minute win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further late Premier League loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and Maguire found himself among several United players free past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Excel

A thumping goal into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent club reign. Despite the criticism surrounding the coach it was his team that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive league wins of the manager's time in charge were the result. Slot’s side again appeared like unfamiliar at times, especially when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Reveals Defensive Issues

The home side were found wanting from the inception to the finish of the attacker's 62-second opener. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in space on the right. the defender was slow to react, the centre-back delayed to recover and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably question his decisions and wonder why the whistle was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the concentration and communication among his backline. The forward's strike means Slot’s side have managed only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the last occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Releasing Diallo quickly against the full-back was clearly part of the manager's tactic. It worked time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced another difficult match in a club jersey. Throw-ins were also a issue for the previous player's replacement, who nearly put the forward through while making one interception. The defender and the captain appear on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“We take a lot of risks,” the head coach explained following the opposition's victory. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple offensive players on the field. That’s perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”