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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a £125m Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach commented on the weekend. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s costliest footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an leveler versus Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's underperforming offence that deserved the harshest criticism at the stadium. The team's defensive foundation has evaporated.

Quiet Display from Star Forwards

Indeed, the Swedish striker was largely anonymous in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties continued versus the team he usually plunders. The Sweden international had his first shot on target in the top division as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. The forward missed a glorious after the break opportunity facing the Kop and could not protest when their numbers came up. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to net a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a game in which they created plenty of opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now United have proven.

Defensive Breakdown Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth successive defeat as Liverpool head coach, the first man to achieve this since a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground in nearly a decade. Littered with the same mistakes that the team's coaching staff had worked on fixing following the pause, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a display that totally derailed the title holders' second half recovery and cost them the game.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was at last with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could feel another last-minute win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking improvement and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was another late Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three United players free past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping header into the goal that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the finest victory of his turbulent United reign. For all the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his team that played with obvious strategy and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool team again appeared like strangers at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Opener Reveals Defensive Flaws

The home side were found wanting from the inception to the execution of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a likely result of having to pass opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, the centre-back slow to recover and mark Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably point to his head and wonder where the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the focus and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s strike means the side have kept only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches so far, the most recent coming eight games ago at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open the left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the away team's advantage. Sending the winger early versus Kerkez was obviously in Amorim’s gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth endured another difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly sent the forward through while making an challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“We take a lot of gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the field. That’s maybe why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we typically are. Normally we would have additional defensive players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”