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Now is the moment to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a £125m Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach commented on Friday. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as the UK's highest-priced footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the English top-flight champions tried in vain to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming forward line that deserved the harshest scrutiny at Anfield. His backline structure has evaporated.

Quiet Display from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely unnoticeable in the No 9 position and Salah subpar once more as his individual toils persisted versus the team he usually scores against. The Sweden international had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds player in the first half, well saved by United’s new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah wasted a golden second-half opportunity in front of the home end and could not complain when their substitution came up. The Dutch attacker also struck the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow failed to net a second moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they generated plenty of chances, Slot stated. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now Manchester United have proven.

Backline Breakdown During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to achieve this after a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Littered with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on eradicating after the pause, including another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely derailed the champions’ after halftime recovery and lost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could feel another last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward igniting improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties resurfaced and Maguire found himself among several opposition members unmarked past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Rivals Excel

A powerful goal into the goal that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the best victory of his turbulent club reign. Despite the negativity surrounding the coach it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling encounter. The first back-to-back league victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. The Liverpool side once more looked like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Early Opener Reveals Defensive Flaws

The home side were exposed from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a likely result of having to go through opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and mark Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured Alisson in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Issues

Slot could justifiably question his decisions and wonder where the whistle was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the focus and coordination among his defenders. The forward's goal means the side have kept only a couple of shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent coming eight games ago at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and even Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ lead. Sending the winger early versus Kerkez was obviously in the manager's tactic. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from his former club experienced a further tough match in a Liverpool jersey. Set-pieces were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who almost sent Mbeumo in on goal while attempting one challenge. Kerkez and the captain seem on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“We take a many risks,” the head coach commented following United’s win. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive members on the field. This is maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have more defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”