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It is now appropriate to start judging Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, Arne Slot stated on Friday. As such, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that deserved the fiercest blame at the stadium. His backline structure has disappeared.

Quiet Performance from Star Attackers

Indeed, Isak was predominantly quiet in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties persisted against the club he typically scores against. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the first half, well saved by the opposition's new goalkeeper the young keeper. Salah missed a golden second-half opportunity facing the Kop and neither complain when their substitution eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork three times and somehow failed to score a second shortly after the defender's winner.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they created numerous chances, Slot claimed. But it is not impossible with a backline in current state, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now Manchester United have demonstrated.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as the club's head coach, the first man to do so after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defence display that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade. Littered with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on eradicating after the international break, featuring another set-piece score, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime recovery and cost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Even with Uptick

Momentum was at last with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three opposition members unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Excel

A thumping goal into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best win of his turbulent United reign. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his team that performed with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side again appeared like unfamiliar at points, particularly when conceding a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League the current campaign.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Flaws

The home side were lacking from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to pass two players to connect with the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and passed to Amad Diallo in open area on the right flank. the defender was late to respond, Van Dijk delayed to recover and follow the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

Slot could reasonably point to his decisions and wonder why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also question the concentration and communication among his defenders. Mbeumo’s goal indicates Slot’s side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches so far, the last coming many matches ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors carved open Liverpool’s left flank frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Releasing Diallo early against the full-back was clearly in Amorim’s gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the first half. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced a further tough evening in a Liverpool jersey. Set-pieces were even a problem for the previous player's replacement, who nearly sent Mbeumo in on goal while making one challenge. The defender and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of risks,” the head coach explained after the opposition's victory. “Following the second half we had multiple attacking members on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Normally we would have more defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”