🔗 Share this article Defensive Issues Present Greater Headache for Slot Compared to Getting Isak and Mohamed Salah to Fire It is now appropriate to commence assessing Alexander Isak equitably as a £125m Liverpool attacker, the Liverpool head coach commented on Friday. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s costliest footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the English top-flight title holders tried in vain to force an equaliser against Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's underperforming attack that earned the fiercest criticism at the stadium. The team's defence has vanished. Quiet Performance from Star Forwards Yes, the Swedish striker was largely quiet in the centre-forward role and Salah disappointing again as his personal struggles continued versus the team he usually plunders. The Swedish international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, excellently denied by the opposition's latest shot-stopper the young keeper. The forward missed a excellent second-half opportunity in front of the Kop and could not complain when their substitution were shown. The Dutch attacker also struck the woodwork three times and inexplicably was unable to net a another goal shortly after Harry Maguire’s decisive goal. Impossible Defeat Despite Opportunities It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a match in which they generated numerous chances, the manager stated. But it is not impossible with a backline in current state, as one opponent, another rival and now Manchester United have shown. Backline Breakdown During Pressure As he presided over a fourth straight loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to do so since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, the coach must have felt dismayed at a defensive performance that invited the visitors to dominate as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Filled with the identical errors that Liverpool’s coaching staff had focused on eradicating after the pause, featuring another set-piece score, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the game. Advantage Squandered Even with Uptick Momentum was at last with the hosts when the substitute equalized Bryan Mbeumo’s early breakthrough. Liverpool could sense another late victory with replacements one attacker, Curtis Jones and another forward sparking improvement and the opposition in retreat. Instead, it was a further last-gasp Premier League loss, the third in succession, after the team's dead-ball frailties resurfaced and the defender found himself among several United players unmarked behind the centre-back in the 84th minute. Organized Opposition Outperform A powerful header into the net that Maguire missed in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the finest victory of his turbulent United reign. For all the negativity around the coach it was his squad that played with definite plan and a well-executed approach for the majority of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League wins of Amorim’s reign were the outcome. The Liverpool team once more looked like unfamiliar at times, especially when allowing a dead-ball score for the fifth occasion in the Premier League the current campaign. Quick Opener Exposes Backline Issues Liverpool were lacking from the start to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire first goal. There was little impact on the initial header from Virgil van Dijk, a likely consequence of having to pass two players to connect with the ball, admittedly, and little challenge on Bruno Fernandes when he received the ball and released Amad Diallo in open area on the right. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk slow to recover and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, filling in for the injured first-choice keeper in goal, was comfortably beaten from the position. Officiating and Concentration Questions The manager could justifiably point to his decisions and ask where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a feisty history, but also doubt the focus and communication levels his backline. Mbeumo’s strike indicates the side have managed only two shutouts in 12 matches so far, the most recent occurring eight games previously at Burnley. Repeated Targeting of Defensive Side The visitors carved open the left flank repeatedly in a first half in which Fernandes, another player and also Gakpo all nearly scored to doubling the away team's lead. Sending Diallo early versus Kerkez was obviously part of Amorim’s gameplan. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40 million new arrival from his former club endured another tough match in a Liverpool jersey. Set-pieces were even a issue for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who nearly put the forward in on goal while making one interception. The defender and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at the moment. Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment “We take a many risks,” Slot commented following the opposition's victory. “Following the 62nd minute we had multiple attacking members on the field. This is maybe why our organization for the set-piece was not as perfect as we typically are. Usually we would have more defensive personnel on the pitch. Maybe it is a coincidence but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”