🔗 Share this article

Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s highest-priced player was seated next to Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League title holders attempted unsuccessfully to force an equaliser versus Manchester United without them, it was not Slot’s underperforming offence that warranted the strongest blame at Anfield. His backline structure has disappeared.

Quiet Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, Isak was predominantly quiet in the centre-forward role and Salah again poor as his difficulties persisted against the team he typically scores against. The Sweden international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool player in the first half, excellently denied by United’s latest shot-stopper the young keeper. The forward wasted a golden after the break opportunity facing the Kop and neither complain when their substitution were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably failed to score a another goal shortly after the defender's winner.

Unthinkable Defeat Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a game in which they created so many chances, the manager stated. But it is not impossible with a defence in such condition, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently United have proven.

Defensive Collapse During Scrutiny

While overseeing a fourth consecutive defeat as the club's manager, the first person to do so since Brendan Rodgers in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a defence display that allowed United to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that the team's management had worked on solving following the international break, featuring yet another dead-ball score, it was a performance that totally undermined the title holders' second half comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out the forward's early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could sense another last-minute win with replacements Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking progress and the opposition in defensive mode. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight loss, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several United members free past Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A powerful header into the net that the player missed in the dying seconds of last season’s tie gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his challenging club reign. Despite the negativity surrounding the coach it was his team that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented approach for the majority of a compelling contest. The first back-to-back Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. The Liverpool side once more looked like strangers at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League the current campaign.

Quick Opener Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were lacking from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the initial attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to pass two players to reach the ball, to be fair, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to react, Van Dijk slow to track back and mark the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the unavailable Alisson in net, was easily beaten from the position.

Officiating and Concentration Questions

The manager could reasonably question his head and ask why the foul was from the referee, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the concentration and communication levels his backline. The forward's goal indicates the side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games so far, the most recent coming eight games ago at Burnley.

Repeated Exploitation of Defensive Side

The visitors carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a opening period in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ lead. Sending the winger early against Kerkez was obviously in the manager's tactic. It worked time and again in the first 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from Bournemouth endured another difficult evening in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who almost sent the forward in on goal while attempting an challenge. The defender and Van Dijk appear on different wavelengths at the moment.

Manager’s Explanation and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many risks,” the head coach commented after United’s victory. “Following the second half we had six or seven offensive players on the field. That’s maybe why our structure for the dead-ball was not as perfect as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defending personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”