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The time has come to begin evaluating Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's highest-priced player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions tried in vain to secure an equaliser versus their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring offence that earned the harshest criticism at the stadium. His defence has disappeared.

Quiet Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was mostly unnoticeable in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his personal struggles continued versus the club he usually scores against. The Sweden international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Liverpool player in the first half, excellently denied by the opposition's new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a golden second-half chance in front of the home end and neither complain when their numbers were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably failed to score a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a game in which they created numerous chances, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and now United have shown.

Backline Collapse Under Pressure

While overseeing a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so since a previous manager in November 2014, the coach must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that invited United to dominate as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s management had worked on solving after the international break, featuring another dead-ball goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the match.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was at last with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. Liverpool could feel one more last-minute win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and another forward igniting progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further late Premier League defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping goal into the goal that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club reign. Despite the negativity around the coach it was his team that played with definite plan and a well-executed plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The first back-to-back Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the result. Slot’s team again looked like unfamiliar at points, particularly when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Quick Goal Exposes Defensive Issues

The home side were lacking from the inception to the execution of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to reach the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

The manager could justifiably question his decisions and ask why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the focus and coordination levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike indicates the side have managed only two clean sheets in a dozen games so far, the most recent occurring many matches ago at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United exposed Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's advantage. Sending Diallo quickly against the full-back was clearly in Amorim’s gameplan. It worked time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from his former club endured another difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were also a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put the forward in on goal while making one interception. The defender and the captain seem on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of gambles,” the head coach commented after United’s win. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking members on the field. That’s maybe why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defensive players on the field. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”