🔗 Share this article

Now is the moment to commence assessing Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Liverpool attacker, the Liverpool head coach stated on Friday. As such, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive player was seated next to 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 underperforming attack that earned the strongest blame at Anfield. His defence has vanished.

Quiet Performance from Star Attackers

Yes, Isak was largely anonymous in the No 9 role and Salah disappointing again as his individual toils persisted versus the club he typically scores against. The Swedish player had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds player in the first half, smartly stopped by United’s latest shot-stopper Senne Lammens. The forward squandered a golden second-half chance in front of the Kop and could not protest when their numbers were shown. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably failed to net a another goal moments after the defender's decisive goal.

Impossible Defeat Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a match in which they generated plenty of opportunities, the manager remarked. But it is possible with a defence in current state, as Crystal Palace, another rival and currently United have shown.

Defensive Breakdown Under Pressure

As he presided over a fourth straight defeat as Liverpool head coach, the first person to do so after a previous manager in years past, the coach must have been frustrated at a defence display that allowed the visitors to take the initiative as well as their first victory at Anfield since January 2016. Littered with the repeated issues that the team's coaching staff had focused on solving after the international break, featuring another set-piece score, it was a display that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the match.

Advantage Lost Even with Uptick

The upper hand was at last with the home side when the substitute cancelled out the forward's early breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel another last-minute win with replacements one attacker, a midfielder and another forward sparking progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was another late top-flight defeat, the third straight, after Liverpool’s dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and Maguire found himself one of three opposition players free behind the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Excel

A powerful goal into the net that Maguire blazed over in the dying seconds of last season’s 2-2 draw gave the United manager the finest victory of his challenging United reign. For all the negativity surrounding the coach it was his team that played with clear purpose and a well-executed plan for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The first back-to-back Premier League victories of the manager's reign were the outcome. The Liverpool team again looked like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Goal Reveals Defensive Issues

The home side were found wanting from the start to the finish of Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener. There was no purchase on the initial header from the captain, a probable result of having to pass opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and released Amad Diallo in space on the right flank. Milos Kerkez was late to respond, Van Dijk slow to track back and mark the forward's movement while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable Alisson in net, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Refereeing and Focus Issues

Slot could reasonably question his head and ask why the foul was from the referee, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also question the concentration and communication levels his defenders. The forward's goal means Slot’s side have managed only a couple of clean sheets in a dozen games so far, the last occurring eight games ago at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors exposed the left flank repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and even Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the visitors’ advantage. Sending Diallo early versus the full-back was clearly part of the manager's strategy. It worked repeatedly in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from his former club experienced another tough evening in a Liverpool jersey. Set-pieces were also a issue for Andy Robertson’s replacement, who nearly sent Mbeumo through while attempting one interception. Kerkez and the captain appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Analysis and Acknowledgment

“Our approach involves a many risks,” the head coach explained following United’s win. “After the 62nd minute we had six or seven offensive players on the pitch. That’s maybe why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we typically are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the pitch. Perhaps it is a coincidence but it is not an excuse. We know we have to improve.”