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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on Friday. As such, evaluation needs to be severe, but as the UK's costliest player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s misfiring offence that deserved the fiercest criticism at Anfield. His backline structure has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Key Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was largely anonymous in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties persisted versus the club he usually scores against. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the top division as a Reds player in the first half, smartly stopped by United’s new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward squandered a golden second-half chance in front of the Kop and neither protest when their substitution eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork three times and somehow failed to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Chances

It seemed impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated plenty of opportunities, Slot stated. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as one opponent, another rival and now United have demonstrated.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

While overseeing a fourth successive defeat as the club's manager, the first person to do so after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have felt dismayed at a defence display that invited United to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had focused on solving following the pause, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a display that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime comeback and lost them the match.

Advantage Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel another late victory with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and the opposition in retreat. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three United players free past Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful header into the net that the player blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's tie gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging club reign. Despite the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that played with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The first consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's reign were the outcome. Slot’s team again appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when conceding a dead-ball score for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Early Goal Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were found wanting from the start to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the first attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable consequence of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark the forward's run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

Slot could reasonably question his head and ask where the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his defenders. The forward's strike indicates Slot’s team have kept only two clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the last occurring eight games previously at Burnley.

Constant Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a first half in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ lead. Sending Diallo early against Kerkez was obviously in the manager's tactic. It worked repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from his former club experienced a further difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put Mbeumo in on goal while attempting one interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on not in sync at the moment.

Manager’s Analysis and Admission

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's win. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple offensive players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”