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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, the Liverpool head coach stated on Friday. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s highest-priced player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League champions struggled to force an equaliser against Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that warranted the fiercest criticism at Anfield. The team's defence has disappeared.

Quiet Display from Key Forwards

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly anonymous in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his difficulties persisted versus the team he typically scores against. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the first half, smartly stopped by United’s new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah squandered a glorious second-half chance in front of the home end and neither protest when their substitution came up. Cody Gakpo also struck the woodwork three times and inexplicably failed to score a second shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Chances

It should have been unthinkable for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they generated so many chances, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's manager, the first man to achieve this after a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a defence display that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's management had worked on solving after the international break, including yet another set-piece goal, it was a performance that completely derailed the champions’ second half comeback and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Uptick

The upper hand was at last with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. The Merseyside club could sense one more last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward igniting progress and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was another late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Outperform

A thumping goal into the net that the player missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging United tenure. Despite the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling encounter. The first back-to-back league wins of the manager's reign were the outcome. Slot’s side again looked like strangers at times, especially when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to connect with the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to react, the centre-back delayed to track back and follow Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

Slot could reasonably question his decisions and wonder where the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s goal means Slot’s side have managed only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches so far, the last occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors carved open the left side repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and also the attacker all came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Releasing Diallo quickly versus the full-back was clearly in the manager's tactic. It worked repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth endured a further difficult evening in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly sent the forward in on goal while making an interception. Kerkez and the captain seem on different wavelengths at the moment.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“Our approach involves a many risks,” Slot explained following United’s victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple offensive members on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Normally we would have more defending players on the pitch. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”