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It is now appropriate to begin evaluating Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield striker, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to force an leveler against their rivals without them, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that warranted the strongest criticism at the stadium. The team's defensive foundation has disappeared.

Quiet Performance from Key Attackers

Indeed, Isak was largely anonymous in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger again poor as his difficulties persisted against the team he usually scores against. The Sweden international had his first attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the first half, smartly stopped by the opposition's new shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah squandered a golden second-half opportunity facing the Kop and neither protest when their numbers eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow failed to net a another goal moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Chances

It seemed impossible for the hosts to lose a game in which they generated so many opportunities, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a defence in this form, as one opponent, Chelsea and now Manchester United have shown.

Defensive Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's manager, the first man to achieve this since a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed United to seize control as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on eradicating following the pause, featuring another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that completely derailed the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the game.

Momentum Lost Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the home side when the substitute cancelled out the forward's early opener. The Merseyside club could sense one more late win with replacements one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward igniting improvement and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several United players free behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Excel

A thumping goal into the net that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent United reign. Despite the negativity around the coach it was his team that played with definite plan and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The first consecutive league victories of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s team once more looked like unfamiliar at times, especially when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was no purchase on the initial header from the captain, a probable consequence of having to go through opponents to connect with the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was late to react, the centre-back slow to track back and follow Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could reasonably question his head and ask why the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the focus and coordination levels his defenders. The forward's strike means the team have kept only a couple of shutouts in a dozen games this season, the most recent occurring eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

The visitors exposed the left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and even the attacker all came close to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing Diallo early versus Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million summer signing from his former club experienced a further difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were also a issue for the previous player's replacement, who nearly put the forward in on goal while making one challenge. Kerkez and the captain seem on not in sync at present.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's win. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking players on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”