Defence Woes Present Greater Headache for Liverpool's Manager Compared to Getting Isak and Mohamed Salah to Perform

It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak fairly as a record-breaking Anfield attacker, Arne Slot commented on Friday. As such, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's highest-priced player was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds substitutes while the Premier League champions attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser versus Manchester United in their absence, it was not Slot’s misfiring offence that earned the strongest criticism at Anfield. The team's defensive foundation has evaporated.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Indeed, Isak was mostly anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah again poor as his individual toils continued versus the club he often scores against. The Sweden player had his first shot on target in the Premier League as a Reds member in the 35th minute, smartly stopped by United’s latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a excellent second-half chance in front of the home end and could not protest when their substitution were shown. Cody Gakpo also struck the crossbar three times and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Unthinkable Loss Despite Chances

It should have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a match in which they created numerous opportunities, Slot remarked. But it is not impossible with a backline in current state, as one opponent, Chelsea and currently United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth successive loss as Liverpool head coach, the first person to do so since a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a defensive performance that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the same mistakes that Liverpool’s coaching staff had focused on fixing after the pause, including another dead-ball score, it was a display that totally undermined the champions’ after halftime recovery and lost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Even with Improvement

Momentum was finally with the home side when the substitute equalized the forward's quick breakthrough. Liverpool could feel another last-minute win with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and another forward igniting progress and the opposition in retreat. Instead, it was another last-gasp top-flight loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball frailties re-emerged and the defender found himself among several opposition players free past the centre-back in the 84th minute.

Purposeful Opposition Excel

A thumping header into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of the previous campaign's tie gave the United manager the finest win of his challenging club reign. Despite the negativity around the coach it was his squad that performed with clear purpose and a smartly implemented plan for the bulk of a thrilling contest. The first consecutive Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. The Liverpool team once more looked like strangers at points, particularly when conceding a dead-ball score for the fifth time in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Reveals Backline Flaws

The home side were exposed from the start to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire first goal. There was no purchase on the initial attempt from the captain, a likely consequence of having to pass two players to reach the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and released Amad Diallo in space on the right flank. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk delayed to recover and mark Mbeumo’s movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Questions

Slot could justifiably point to his decisions and wonder why the whistle was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the focus and coordination levels his defenders. The forward's goal means the side have managed only two shutouts in 12 matches this season, the most recent occurring many matches previously at another ground.

Repeated Exploitation of Left Flank

United exposed the left flank frequently in a opening period in which the midfielder, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the away team's lead. Sending the winger early versus Kerkez was obviously in the manager's strategy. It worked time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m new arrival from Bournemouth endured another tough evening in a Liverpool shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who almost sent Mbeumo through while attempting an interception. The defender and Van Dijk appear on different wavelengths at present.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a lot of gambles,” Slot explained following the opposition's win. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking players on the pitch. That’s maybe why our structure for the dead-ball was less organized as we typically are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the field. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is not an excuse. We know we have to do better.”