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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield striker, Arne Slot stated on Friday. As such, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s highest-priced player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions struggled to secure an equaliser versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring attack that deserved the strongest criticism at the stadium. The team's defence has vanished.

Quiet Display from Star Attackers

Yes, Isak was predominantly anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his difficulties persisted versus the team he usually plunders. The Sweden player had his first attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Reds member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's new goalkeeper the young keeper. Salah missed a glorious second-half opportunity facing the home end and could not protest when their substitution came up. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to score a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss In Spite of Opportunities

It seemed unthinkable for the hosts to lose a game in which they created numerous opportunities, Slot stated. But it is not impossible with a backline in current state, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now United have proven.

Defensive Collapse During Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight defeat as the club's head coach, the first man to achieve this after a previous manager in years past, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defensive performance that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating after the international break, featuring yet another dead-ball goal, it was a display that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime recovery and cost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the home side when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early breakthrough. Liverpool could feel another late win with replacements one attacker, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa sparking improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself among several opposition players free behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A thumping header into the goal that the player blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent club tenure. Despite the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed approach for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The first back-to-back Premier League wins of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side again looked like strangers at times, especially when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Quick Goal Reveals Backline Flaws

Liverpool were lacking from the inception to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released the winger in space on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, Van Dijk delayed to recover and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured Alisson in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

Slot could justifiably point to his decisions and ask where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the concentration and coordination among his backline. The forward's goal means Slot’s side have managed only two shutouts in 12 matches so far, the most recent coming eight games previously at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open the left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also the attacker all nearly scored to doubling the away team's advantage. Sending the winger early against Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked time and again in the first half. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth endured another tough evening in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who nearly sent the forward in on goal while attempting one challenge. The defender and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking players on the field. This is maybe why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”