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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak justly as a £125m Anfield attacker, Arne Slot remarked on the weekend. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s costliest footballer was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions struggled to force an leveler versus their rivals in their absence, it was not the manager's underperforming forward line that warranted the strongest scrutiny at Anfield. His defence has evaporated.

Quiet Performance from Key Attackers

Yes, Isak was largely unnoticeable in the No 9 position and Salah disappointing again as his difficulties continued versus the team he typically scores against. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the first half, excellently denied by the opposition's latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward missed a excellent after the break opportunity in front of the home end and neither protest when their numbers eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they created so many chances, Slot stated. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as Crystal Palace, another rival and currently Manchester United have demonstrated.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive defeat as Liverpool head coach, the first person to do so since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have been frustrated at a defence display that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s management had worked on fixing after the pause, featuring yet another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that completely derailed the champions’ after halftime recovery and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was at last with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out the forward's quick breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward igniting improvement and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was another late Premier League loss, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three United members free behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful goal into the net that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest win of his challenging club tenure. Despite the negativity around Amorim it was his squad that played with definite plan and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League wins of the manager's reign were the result. Slot’s team once more looked like unfamiliar at points, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Reveals Defensive Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the start to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was little impact on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a probable result of having to pass two players to reach the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to react, the centre-back slow to recover and follow Mbeumo’s movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

The manager could justifiably point to his head and ask where the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his backline. The forward's strike means the side have managed only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the last occurring eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

The visitors exposed the left side frequently in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and even the attacker all came close to doubling the away team's lead. Sending the winger early against the full-back was clearly in the manager's tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the first half. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced another tough match in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were also a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo in on goal while attempting one interception. The defender and the captain seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” Slot explained after United’s victory. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking members on the pitch. That’s perhaps why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we typically are. Usually we would have more defensive players on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”