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The time has come to start judging Alexander Isak justly as a £125m Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on the weekend. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s highest-priced footballer sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions struggled to force an leveler against their rivals without them, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that earned the harshest scrutiny at the stadium. His backline structure has vanished.

Quiet Display from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely unnoticeable in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger again poor as his difficulties continued against the club he often plunders. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's latest goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward wasted a glorious second-half opportunity in front of the home end and could not complain when their substitution eventually. Cody Gakpo also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to score a second moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat Despite Chances

It ought to have been impossible for Liverpool to lose a match in which they generated plenty of chances, Slot remarked. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Breakdown Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as the club's manager, the first man to do so since a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have despaired at a backline effort that invited United to seize control as well as their first victory at the ground in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s management had focused on fixing following the international break, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and lost them the game.

Momentum Lost Even with Improvement

Momentum was at last with the home side when Gakpo equalized the forward's early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute win with replacements one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further late top-flight loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition players unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Excel

A powerful goal into the goal that the player missed in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the finest win of his turbulent United tenure. For all the criticism around the coach it was his team that performed with clear purpose and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a compelling contest. The initial back-to-back Premier League victories of Amorim’s reign were the result. Slot’s side once more appeared like strangers at points, particularly when conceding a dead-ball score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Quick Opener Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were lacking from the start to the execution of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a likely result of having to pass two players to connect with the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released the winger in space on the right. the defender was slow to react, the centre-back delayed to track back and follow Mbeumo’s movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Officiating and Concentration Questions

The manager could reasonably question his head and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the focus and coordination among his backline. Mbeumo’s goal indicates the team have managed only two clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring eight games previously at another ground.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

United carved open Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the away team's advantage. Releasing Diallo early against Kerkez was clearly part of the manager's tactic. It worked time and again in the first half. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth endured another tough evening in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were also a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo through while making one challenge. Kerkez and the captain appear on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” Slot explained after the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven offensive members on the field. That’s perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have more defending personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”