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The time has come to start judging Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Liverpool centre forward, the Liverpool head coach stated on Friday. Therefore, the assessment should be critical, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Liverpool substitutes while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's misfiring attack that earned the strongest blame at the stadium. The team's defensive foundation has evaporated.

Anonymous Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, Isak was predominantly quiet in the centre-forward role and the Egyptian winger subpar once more as his personal struggles persisted against the team he often plunders. The Sweden player had his initial shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds member in the 35th minute, well saved by the opposition's latest goalkeeper the young keeper. Salah squandered a golden after the break chance in front of the Kop and neither complain when their numbers eventually. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar on multiple occasions and somehow failed to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It seemed impossible for the hosts to lose a match in which they created so many chances, the manager claimed. But it is possible with a defence in this form, as Crystal Palace, another rival and now Manchester United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first person to do so since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have been frustrated at a defence display that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the repeated issues that Liverpool’s coaching staff had worked on fixing following the pause, including yet another set-piece score, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ second half comeback and lost them the match.

Momentum Lost Despite Improvement

The upper hand was finally with the hosts when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel one more last-minute victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa igniting improvement and the opposition in defensive mode. Rather, it was another last-gasp top-flight defeat, the third in succession, after the team's set-piece weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several United players unmarked past Ibrahima Konaté in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Outperform

A thumping goal into the net that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club tenure. For all the criticism surrounding Amorim it was his team that performed with obvious strategy and a well-executed plan for the majority of a thrilling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League wins of the manager's reign were the result. Slot’s side once more appeared like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Early Goal Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were exposed from the start to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the initial attempt from the captain, a likely result of having to go through opponents to reach the ball, admittedly, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and released the winger in open area on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was slow to react, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark the forward's run while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the unavailable first-choice keeper in net, was comfortably beaten from the position.

Refereeing and Focus Questions

The manager could justifiably question his decisions and ask where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the focus and communication levels his backline. The forward's strike indicates the team have managed only two shutouts in a dozen games so far, the last occurring many matches ago at Burnley.

Repeated Targeting of Defensive Side

The visitors exposed the left side repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and even the attacker all came close to doubling the away team's lead. Releasing Diallo quickly versus Kerkez was clearly part of Amorim’s strategy. It succeeded time and again in the first 45 minutes. The £40 million summer signing from his former club experienced another tough evening in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who almost sent Mbeumo in on goal while making an challenge. The defender and Van Dijk seem on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Explanation and Acknowledgment

“We take a lot of gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's win. “After the second half we had multiple offensive members on the field. This is perhaps why our organization for the set-piece was less organized as we typically are. Normally we would have more defensive personnel on the field. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”