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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, Arne Slot stated on the weekend. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the English top-flight champions struggled to secure an equaliser versus their rivals without them, it was not Slot’s misfiring offence that deserved the harshest blame at Anfield. The team's defence has disappeared.

Anonymous Performance from Key Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was mostly unnoticeable in the No 9 role and Salah again poor as his difficulties persisted against the club he often scores against. The Swedish international had his first shot on target in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah squandered a glorious second-half opportunity in front of the home end and neither complain when their substitution eventually. The Dutch attacker also struck the woodwork three times and inexplicably was unable to score a second shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a game in which they created so many opportunities, Slot stated. But it is not impossible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and currently United have proven.

Backline Breakdown Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as Liverpool manager, the first person to achieve this after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed the visitors to dominate as well as their initial win at the ground in nearly a decade. Filled with the same mistakes that the team's coaching staff had worked on fixing after the pause, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Lost Despite Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could feel another last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Rather, it was a further last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself among several opposition members unmarked past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A thumping header into the net that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging United tenure. For all the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that played with definite plan and a smartly implemented approach for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool team again appeared like unfamiliar at times, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Early Goal Exposes Defensive Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was no purchase on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to go through 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. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, the centre-back delayed to track back and follow Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

Slot could justifiably question his decisions and ask why the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the focus and coordination levels his backline. Mbeumo’s goal indicates Slot’s side have kept only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the last occurring eight games previously at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

United carved open the left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's lead. Releasing the winger quickly against the full-back was clearly part of the manager's strategy. It worked repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth experienced a further tough match in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were even a issue for the previous player's replacement, who almost put Mbeumo through while attempting an interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Analysis and Acknowledgment

“We take a many gambles,” Slot explained after the opposition's win. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven offensive players on the field. That’s perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”