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It is now appropriate to start judging Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Anfield striker, Arne Slot stated on the weekend. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s highest-priced footballer was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the English top-flight champions struggled to force an leveler versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring attack that earned the fiercest scrutiny at the stadium. The team's defence has vanished.

Quiet Display from Star Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely quiet in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his personal struggles persisted against the club he typically plunders. The Swedish international had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool member in the first half, smartly stopped by the opposition's latest goalkeeper the young keeper. Salah missed a glorious after the break opportunity in front of the Kop and neither complain when their numbers came up. Cody Gakpo also hit the woodwork three times and inexplicably failed to net a second shortly after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they created plenty of chances, the manager stated. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as one opponent, Chelsea and now United have demonstrated.

Backline Collapse During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth successive loss as the club's head coach, the first man to do so after a previous manager in years past, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defensive performance that allowed the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s management had worked on eradicating after the international break, including yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that totally undermined the champions’ second half recovery and lost them the game.

Advantage Lost Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out the forward's early opener. Liverpool could sense another last-minute win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa sparking progress and United in defensive mode. Instead, it was a further late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece frailties re-emerged and Maguire found himself among several opposition players unmarked past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping header into the goal that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest win of his challenging United reign. For all the criticism surrounding the coach it was his team that performed with definite plan and a well-executed approach for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The initial consecutive Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. The Liverpool side again appeared like strangers at times, particularly when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were lacking from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was little impact on the initial attempt from the captain, a probable consequence of having to pass opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in space on the right. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk delayed to recover and mark Mbeumo’s run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably question his decisions and ask why the whistle was from the referee, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also question the concentration and communication levels his defenders. The forward's strike indicates the team have managed only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the last coming eight games previously at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Defensive Side

United carved open the left flank frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and also the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ lead. Sending Diallo early against Kerkez was obviously in Amorim’s strategy. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth endured another difficult match in a club jersey. Set-pieces were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who nearly sent Mbeumo in on goal while making one interception. Kerkez and the captain appear on different wavelengths at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of risks,” Slot commented following United’s win. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive members on the pitch. This is maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to do better.”