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Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a £125 million Liverpool striker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's most expensive footballer was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to force an equaliser against their rivals without them, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that warranted the harshest criticism at Anfield. The team's backline structure has vanished.

Quiet Display from Star Forwards

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly anonymous in the centre-forward role and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils persisted against the club he typically plunders. The Sweden international had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool player in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s new shot-stopper the young keeper. Salah squandered a glorious after the break opportunity in front of the home end and neither complain when their numbers came up. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow failed to score a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Chances

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to be defeated in a game in which they created plenty of opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in such condition, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now Manchester United have demonstrated.

Defensive Collapse Under Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as the club's head coach, the first person to do so after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have despaired at a backline effort that allowed the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the identical errors that the team's management had focused on fixing following the international break, including another dead-ball goal, it was a display that completely derailed the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the game.

Momentum Squandered Despite Uptick

Momentum was finally with the home side when the substitute cancelled out the forward's early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel another last-minute win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was another late top-flight loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three opposition members unmarked behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A thumping header into the goal that Maguire missed in the final moments of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging United reign. Despite the criticism surrounding the coach it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed plan for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The initial back-to-back league wins of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. Slot’s team again appeared like unfamiliar at times, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Early Opener Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were lacking from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second first goal. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from the captain, a probable result of having to pass opponents to reach the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk slow to recover and mark the forward's run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

Slot could reasonably question his decisions and ask where the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his defenders. Mbeumo’s strike means the team have managed only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games so far, the most recent occurring many matches ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

United carved open the left flank repeatedly in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the away team's advantage. Sending the winger quickly against the full-back was clearly in the manager's tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening half. The £40m new arrival from his former club endured another tough evening in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were even a issue for the previous player's replacement, who nearly sent Mbeumo through while attempting an challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” the head coach commented following the opposition's victory. “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 usually are. Normally we would have more defending personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”