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It is now appropriate to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. Therefore, evaluation needs to be severe, but as Britain’s costliest player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool bench while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to secure an leveler against their rivals without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that earned the harshest scrutiny at Anfield. His defensive foundation has vanished.

Quiet Display from Key Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was largely anonymous in the centre-forward position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his personal struggles continued versus the team he often plunders. The Sweden player had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by United’s latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah squandered a golden second-half opportunity facing the Kop and neither protest when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar three times and inexplicably failed to net a second shortly after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Defeat In Spite of Opportunities

It should have been impossible for the hosts to lose a game in which they created numerous chances, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as one opponent, Chelsea and now Manchester United have proven.

Backline Collapse During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth successive defeat as the club's manager, the first person to achieve this since Brendan Rodgers in years past, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had worked on solving following the pause, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' second half comeback and lost them the game.

Advantage Lost Despite Uptick

Momentum was at last with the hosts when the substitute cancelled out the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could feel another last-minute victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was a further last-gasp Premier League loss, the third straight, after Liverpool’s set-piece weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition members unmarked behind Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A powerful goal into the net that the player missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest victory of his turbulent club reign. Despite the criticism surrounding Amorim it was his squad that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive league victories of the manager's reign were the result. Slot’s team once more appeared like strangers at points, particularly when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Quick Goal Reveals Backline Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to pass opponents to connect with the ball, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and released the winger in open area on the right. the defender was slow to react, Van Dijk delayed to track back and follow the forward's run while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

Slot could justifiably question his head and wonder why the foul was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the focus and communication levels his defenders. The forward's goal means the side have kept only two shutouts in a dozen games so far, the most recent occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors exposed the left side frequently in a opening period in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage. Sending the winger quickly against the full-back was obviously in Amorim’s tactic. It succeeded repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth endured a further tough evening in a club shirt. Set-pieces were also a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost put Mbeumo in on goal while making an challenge. Kerkez and the captain seem on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Admission

“We take a many risks,” Slot commented following the opposition's win. “Following the second half we had multiple offensive members on the field. This is perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”