Arne Slot said he faces a challenge to lift Liverpool after Manchester United triumphed at Anfield for the first time in more than nine years to inflict a fourth successive defeat on the faltering Premier League champions.

The Liverpool head coach blamed wastefulness in front of goal and more set-piece lapses from his team for their latest reverse, as Ruben Amorim savoured the first back-to-back league wins of his United reign.

Harry Maguire, whose 84th-minute header secured victory, admitted it was “embarrassing” that United had taken 51 games to achieve that statistic under Amorim.

Slot claimed it should not have been possible for Liverpool to lose a match in which they created so many clear chances. Cody Gakpo struck the woodwork three times and missed a gilt-edged opportunity to head home a second equaliser in the 87th minute. But having lost to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and now United, the Dutch coach conceded he has a job on his hands to end Liverpool’s damaging run.

“As a manager you constantly face challenges,” said Slot. “When you start and you need to win games, when you go to a bigger club, when you are the successor of Jürgen Klopp and...