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It is now appropriate to start judging Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot remarked on the weekend. Therefore, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's highest-priced player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an leveler versus their rivals in their absence, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that warranted the fiercest criticism at the stadium. His defensive foundation has disappeared.

Quiet Display from Key Attackers

Indeed, Isak was predominantly quiet in the No 9 role and the Egyptian winger again poor as his personal struggles continued against the club he usually plunders. The Swedish international had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool member in the first half, excellently denied by United’s latest goalkeeper the young keeper. Salah missed a glorious second-half opportunity in front of the Kop and could not complain when their numbers eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow failed to net a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Chances

It should have been impossible for Liverpool to lose a match in which they generated plenty of chances, the manager stated. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and now United have proven.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so after a previous manager in years past, Slot must have despaired at a defence display that allowed the visitors to take the initiative 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 focused on fixing after the international break, featuring another set-piece goal, it was a performance that completely undermined the title holders' second half recovery and cost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the home side when Gakpo equalized the forward's quick opener. The Merseyside club could sense one more last-minute win with substitutes one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and United in retreat. Instead, it was another late top-flight loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and Maguire found himself one of three opposition members free past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A powerful goal into the goal that Maguire blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent club reign. Despite the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his team that played with definite plan and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The first back-to-back Premier League victories of the manager's time in charge were the result. The Liverpool side once more appeared like strangers at times, especially when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Early Goal Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the first attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to go through two players to connect with the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, the centre-back slow to track back and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Officiating and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder where the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the focus and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike means Slot’s team have kept only two clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring many matches ago at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United exposed the left flank frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even the attacker all came close to increasing the visitors’ lead. Releasing Diallo early versus the full-back was clearly part of the manager's strategy. It succeeded time and again in the opening half. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth endured another tough match in a club shirt. Set-pieces were even a issue for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent the forward in on goal while attempting an challenge. The defender and the captain appear on different wavelengths at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's win. “Following the second half we had six or seven offensive members on the field. That’s maybe why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”