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It is now appropriate to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a £125 million Liverpool centre forward, Arne Slot commented on the weekend. In that case, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s highest-priced player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to force an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring forward line that earned the strongest blame at Anfield. His defence has evaporated.

Anonymous Performance from Key Forwards

Indeed, Isak was largely anonymous in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties persisted against the club he typically scores against. The Sweden international had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward missed a excellent second-half chance facing the Kop and could not protest when their substitution were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably was unable to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Chances

It seemed impossible for the hosts to lose a game in which they created plenty of chances, Slot stated. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as one opponent, Chelsea and now Manchester United have shown.

Backline Collapse During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth straight defeat as Liverpool head coach, the first man to do so after Brendan Rodgers in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that allowed United to seize control as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s management had focused on solving following the international break, including yet another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that totally undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Squandered Even with Uptick

Momentum was finally with the hosts when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. Liverpool could sense another last-minute victory with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and United in retreat. Instead, it was another late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that the player blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the finest victory of his turbulent United reign. Despite the negativity surrounding Amorim it was his team that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented approach for the bulk of a thrilling encounter. The first consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's reign were the outcome. Slot’s side again appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth time in the Premier League the current campaign.

Early Goal Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were found wanting from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the first attempt from Virgil van Dijk, a probable consequence of having to go through two players to reach the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. the defender was slow to respond, the centre-back delayed to recover and mark Mbeumo’s run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the injured first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

Slot could justifiably question his decisions and wonder why the foul was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the concentration and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s goal means Slot’s side have managed only two clean sheets in a dozen games so far, the last occurring many matches previously at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Defensive Side

United exposed the left side frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, another player and even Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked time and again in the first half. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth experienced a further tough evening in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who almost sent the forward through while making an challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” the head coach explained following the opposition's win. “After the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking members on the pitch. That’s maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we typically are. Usually we would have more defending players on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to improve.”