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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot remarked on Friday. As such, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's highest-priced player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to force an leveler against their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring forward line that earned the strongest blame at the stadium. The team's defence has evaporated.

Quiet Performance from Key Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly unnoticeable in the No 9 position and Salah subpar once more as his difficulties continued against the team he typically plunders. The Swedish player had his first attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Reds member in the first half, excellently denied by United’s latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Salah missed a glorious after the break chance facing the Kop and could not complain when their numbers eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the crossbar three times and somehow failed to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat Despite Chances

It should have been unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a match in which they generated plenty of chances, Slot claimed. But it is not impossible with a defence in this form, as one opponent, another rival and now Manchester United have shown.

Defensive Collapse During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive defeat as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so since Brendan Rodgers in years past, the coach must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating after the pause, including another dead-ball score, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime recovery and lost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. The Merseyside club could feel another late win with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further last-gasp Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several opposition players unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful header into the net that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his challenging United tenure. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his team that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The first consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's time in charge were the result. Slot’s side once more appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when conceding a dead-ball goal for the fifth time in the division this season.

Early Opener Exposes Defensive Issues

Liverpool were found wanting from the start to the execution of the attacker's 62-second first goal. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a probable result of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was late to respond, the centre-back slow to track back and follow Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could reasonably point to his decisions and wonder where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the concentration and coordination levels his defenders. The forward's goal means the side have managed only two shutouts in a dozen games this season, the last coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open the left flank frequently in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all came close to increasing the away team's advantage. Releasing Diallo early against the full-back was clearly in Amorim’s tactic. It succeeded time and again in the first half. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth endured another tough evening in a club jersey. Set-pieces were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly sent Mbeumo through while attempting one challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” the head coach commented following the opposition's victory. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking members on the pitch. That’s perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have more defensive personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”