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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's most expensive player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight title holders attempted unsuccessfully to force an leveler versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that warranted the harshest scrutiny at the stadium. The team's backline structure has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly quiet in the No 9 position and Salah subpar once more as his personal struggles continued against the team he usually scores against. The Sweden international had his first attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a excellent second-half chance in front of the home end and could not complain when their numbers came up. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Defeat Despite Opportunities

It should have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated so many chances, Slot claimed. But it is not impossible with a backline in this form, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently Manchester United have proven.

Defensive Collapse During Pressure

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so since a previous manager in years past, Slot must have despaired at a defence display that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on fixing following the pause, featuring yet another dead-ball score, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime recovery and lost them the game.

Momentum Lost Despite Uptick

Momentum was at last with the hosts when Gakpo equalized the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could feel another last-minute win with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was another last-gasp Premier League loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself among several United members free behind the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping goal into the goal that the player missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best win of his challenging United tenure. For all the criticism around Amorim it was his team that played with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The first consecutive Premier League victories of Amorim’s reign were the result. Slot’s side again looked like strangers at times, especially when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Quick Goal Reveals Backline Flaws

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to connect with the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right. the defender was slow to react, Van Dijk slow to track back and mark the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

The manager could reasonably question his decisions and ask where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty past, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. The forward's strike indicates the team have kept only a couple of shutouts in a dozen games this season, the last occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open the left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the away team's advantage. Sending Diallo quickly against Kerkez was clearly in Amorim’s strategy. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth endured a further tough match in a club shirt. Set-pieces were also a problem for the previous player's replacement, who almost put the forward through while attempting one challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” Slot commented after United’s victory. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”