🔗 Share this article

It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a £125 million Anfield centre forward, Arne Slot commented on Friday. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s costliest player sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the Premier League champions struggled to secure an leveler against their rivals in their absence, it was not Slot’s underperforming attack that earned the strongest scrutiny at Anfield. His defence has vanished.

Anonymous Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, Isak was predominantly quiet in the No 9 position and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils continued against the team he usually scores against. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the Premier League as a Liverpool member in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s latest goalkeeper the young keeper. The forward squandered a glorious after the break chance in front of the Kop and could not protest when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also struck the woodwork on multiple occasions and somehow was unable to score a another goal moments after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It seemed impossible for Liverpool to lose a match in which they created numerous opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as one opponent, another rival and now Manchester United have proven.

Backline Collapse Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as the club's manager, the first person to do so after a previous manager in years past, Slot must have been frustrated at a defence display that invited the visitors to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on eradicating after the pause, including yet another dead-ball score, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ second half comeback and lost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Even with Uptick

The upper hand was finally with the home side when the substitute cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick opener. Liverpool could sense one more late win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and another forward sparking progress and United in retreat. Rather, it was a further late Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and the defender found himself one of three United players free past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Organized Opposition Excel

A powerful header into the net that the player missed in the final moments of the previous campaign's tie gave Ruben Amorim the best win of his turbulent United tenure. For all the criticism around Amorim it was his team that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented plan for the majority of a thrilling contest. The initial back-to-back league wins of Amorim’s reign were the outcome. The Liverpool team again appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth time in the Premier League this season.

Early Goal Exposes Defensive Issues

Liverpool were exposed from the start to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was no purchase on the first header from the captain, a likely result of having to pass opponents to connect with the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released the winger in open area on the right. Milos Kerkez was slow to respond, Van Dijk delayed to recover and follow Mbeumo’s movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Concentration Questions

Slot could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder why the foul was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. The forward's strike indicates Slot’s team have managed only two clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the most recent occurring many matches previously at another ground.

Repeated Targeting of Left Flank

United exposed Liverpool’s left side frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the away team's advantage. Releasing Diallo quickly versus the full-back was obviously part of the manager's gameplan. It worked time and again in the opening half. The £40 million new arrival from his former club experienced another tough match in a Liverpool jersey. Throw-ins were also a issue for the previous player's replacement, who almost put the forward through while making one interception. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at present.

Manager’s Analysis and Admission

“Our approach involves a many gambles,” the head coach commented after the opposition's victory. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking players on the pitch. This is perhaps why our structure for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Normally we would have additional defending personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is no justification. We know we have to improve.”