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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. As such, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's most expensive player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League title holders struggled to secure an leveler against Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that earned the harshest scrutiny at the stadium. The team's defensive foundation has disappeared.

Quiet Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, the Swedish striker was largely quiet in the No 9 role and Salah subpar once more as his personal struggles continued versus the club he typically plunders. The Swedish international had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds player in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward missed a golden second-half chance in front of the home end and neither protest when their substitution eventually. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Defeat Despite Chances

It seemed unthinkable for Liverpool to lose a game in which they generated plenty of opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as Crystal Palace, another rival and currently Manchester United have shown.

Backline Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight defeat as Liverpool manager, the first man to do so since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed the visitors to seize control as well as their first victory at the ground in nearly a decade. Littered with the repeated issues that the team's management had worked on eradicating after the international break, including another set-piece goal, it was a display that totally derailed the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the game.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could sense another last-minute win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking progress and United in defensive mode. Rather, it was a further late Premier League loss, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition players unmarked behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Excel

A powerful goal into the net that the player missed in the final moments of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the finest victory of his turbulent club reign. For all the negativity around Amorim it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed approach for the bulk of a compelling contest. The initial back-to-back Premier League wins of Amorim’s reign were the result. The Liverpool side once more looked like strangers at points, particularly when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Early Goal Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were lacking from the start to the execution of the attacker's 62-second opener. There was little impact on the first header from the captain, a likely result of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on the playmaker when he received the ball and passed to the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, Van Dijk delayed to recover and follow the forward's run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

The manager could reasonably question his head and ask why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the concentration and communication among his backline. Mbeumo’s goal indicates the side have kept only two shutouts in 12 matches so far, the most recent coming many matches ago at another ground.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors carved open Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the away team's advantage. Sending Diallo early against Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s strategy. It worked repeatedly in the opening half. The £40 million summer signing from his former club experienced another tough evening in a club shirt. Throw-ins were also a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put Mbeumo in on goal while attempting one interception. Kerkez and the captain seem on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” Slot commented after United’s win. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive players on the pitch. This is maybe why our structure for the set-piece was less organized as we typically are. Usually we would have additional defending players on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”