Defence Issues Present Larger Headache for Liverpool's Manager Than Getting Isak and Mohamed Salah to Perform

It is now appropriate to begin evaluating Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, the Liverpool head coach remarked on the weekend. In that case, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s most expensive player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the English top-flight champions tried in vain to force an equaliser against their rivals in their absence, it was not the manager's misfiring forward line that deserved the strongest criticism at Anfield. The team's backline structure has evaporated.

Quiet Performance from Key Attackers

Indeed, Isak was largely anonymous in the No 9 role and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties persisted against the club he typically plunders. The Sweden player had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds member in the first half, excellently denied by the opposition's new shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a glorious second-half opportunity in front of the home end and neither protest when their substitution eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the woodwork three times and somehow failed to score a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Chances

It should have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a match in which they generated so many chances, the manager claimed. But it is possible with a backline in this form, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently United have proven.

Backline Collapse Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool manager, the first person to do so since Brendan Rodgers in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a defence display that invited United to dominate as well as their initial win at Anfield in nearly a decade. Filled with the identical errors that the team's management had focused on fixing following the international break, featuring yet another set-piece score, it was a display that completely undermined the title holders' after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

Momentum was finally with the hosts when Gakpo equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener. The Merseyside club could sense one more late win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and United in retreat. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after Liverpool’s set-piece frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three opposition players unmarked past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that Maguire missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club tenure. Despite the criticism around the coach it was his squad that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a compelling contest. The initial consecutive Premier League wins of the manager's time in charge were the outcome. The Liverpool side again looked like strangers at points, particularly when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Exposes Backline Flaws

Liverpool were found wanting from the start to the finish of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the first header from the captain, a probable consequence of having to pass opponents to connect with the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and passed to the winger in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, the centre-back delayed to track back and follow the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in net, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Officiating and Focus Issues

Slot could justifiably question his decisions and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a feisty past, but also doubt the concentration and communication among his backline. The forward's goal indicates the side have managed only two clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the last coming eight games previously at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

United carved open Liverpool’s left side frequently in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all came close to doubling the visitors’ lead. Releasing the winger quickly versus the full-back was clearly part of Amorim’s tactic. It worked repeatedly in the first half. The £40m new arrival from his former club experienced another difficult match in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly put Mbeumo in on goal while making one challenge. The defender and the captain appear on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” Slot commented following United’s victory. “After the second half we had six or seven attacking members on the field. This is maybe why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we usually are. Usually we would have additional defensive personnel on the field. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”