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It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, Arne Slot stated on Friday. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced player sat next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to secure an leveler versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that warranted the strongest scrutiny at the stadium. His defence has vanished.

Quiet Performance from Key Forwards

Yes, Isak was largely unnoticeable in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils continued against the club he often scores against. The Sweden international had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, excellently denied by United’s new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a glorious after the break opportunity facing the home end and could not complain when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar three times and somehow failed to score a second moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Impossible Loss In Spite of Chances

It ought to have been unthinkable for Liverpool to be defeated in a match in which they generated numerous chances, Slot claimed. But it is not impossible with a defence in current state, as one opponent, Chelsea and now United have demonstrated.

Defensive Collapse Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as the club's manager, the first man to achieve this after Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have been frustrated at a backline effort that invited United to take the initiative as well as their initial win at the ground in nearly a decade. Littered with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s management had worked on solving following the international break, featuring another dead-ball goal, it was a performance that totally undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and cost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Despite Uptick

Momentum was at last with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could sense another last-minute victory with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and another forward igniting progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was another late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself among several opposition members free behind the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping goal into the net that the player missed in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging club tenure. Despite the criticism around Amorim it was his team that performed with obvious strategy and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a thrilling contest. The initial back-to-back league victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. Slot’s team again looked like strangers at times, especially when conceding a set-piece goal for the fifth time in the division this season.

Early Goal Exposes Defensive Flaws

The home side were lacking from the inception to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to reach the ball, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he received the ball and passed to the winger in space on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, Van Dijk slow to track back and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

The manager could justifiably question his head and wonder why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious past, but also question the focus and communication among his backline. The forward's strike indicates the team have kept only two clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the most recent occurring eight games previously at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Defensive Side

United exposed Liverpool’s left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Releasing the winger quickly against Kerkez was obviously in the manager's gameplan. It succeeded repeatedly in the first 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth experienced a further difficult match in a club jersey. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly sent Mbeumo in on goal while making an challenge. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“We take a many gambles,” the head coach commented following the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have more defensive personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. The team understands we have to do better.”