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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach commented on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s highest-priced player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight title holders attempted unsuccessfully to force an equaliser against their rivals in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that deserved the harshest scrutiny at Anfield. The team's defensive foundation has evaporated.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, Isak was largely quiet in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties continued versus the club he usually plunders. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by the opposition's latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward missed a golden after the break chance facing the Kop and neither complain when their numbers eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably failed to net a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Unthinkable Loss In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated so many chances, the manager remarked. But it is not impossible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and now Manchester United have shown.

Defensive Collapse During Pressure

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's head coach, the first person to do so since a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have been frustrated at a defence display that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating after the international break, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely derailed the title holders' after halftime comeback and lost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out the forward's quick opener. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute victory with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa sparking improvement and United in retreat. Rather, it was a further late top-flight defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself among several opposition players free behind the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Opposition Excel

A thumping goal into the goal that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging United tenure. For all the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side again appeared like unfamiliar at points, particularly when conceding a dead-ball goal for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Quick Opener Exposes Defensive Flaws

Liverpool were exposed from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a probable result of having to go through two players to connect with the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, the centre-back slow to recover and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

The manager could justifiably point to his decisions and ask why the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike means the team have kept only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the most recent coming many matches ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

The visitors exposed Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the away team's advantage. Releasing Diallo early versus the full-back was obviously part of Amorim’s gameplan. It worked time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced a further tough evening in a club shirt. Set-pieces were also a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly sent the forward in on goal while attempting an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of risks,” the head coach explained following the opposition's win. “After the second half we had six or seven offensive members on the field. That’s maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have more defending players on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”