Another trip to Old Trafford, another gut punch for Liverpool. This time it stings even more because we actually looked like we'd turned it around.

The scoreline tells the story of a match that had everything except the result we needed. A deflected effort from Matheus Cunha and a Benjamin Sesko finish that should never have stood thanks to a clear handball gave United a two-goal cushion at the break. The VAR officials seemingly forgot the rules exist when Sesko controlled the ball with his hand before finishing, but that's modern football for you.

Credit where it's due though. Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo dragged us back into it after the interval with two excellent goals that showcased exactly what this team can do when they click. For twenty minutes, it felt like we were watching the Liverpool we know and love.

Then Kobbie Mainoo happened. One moment of slack defending, one poor clearance, and suddenly we're walking away from Old Trafford with nothing but regrets and recriminations.

The individual performances painted a picture of a team caught between gears. Our goalkeeper couldn't do much about the first goal and was unlucky with the second after making a decent save, only to watch Sesko handle the rebound into the net. The third was unstoppable, but he looked uncomfortable throughout.

At the back, it was a mixed bag. One centre-back put in another impressive shift at right-back, willing to get forward when needed despite picking up a booking. His partner in central defence had moments where luck rather than judgement saved him, particularly struggling with the physical battle for United's second goal. At left-back, the tough time continued against tricky wingers, with set-piece deliveries lacking the quality we've come to expect.

The midfield trio tells the real story of this defeat. Three players all rated at just five out of ten, and it's easy to see why. Our deepest midfielder was bypassed far too often and looked slow to pick his passing routes. He improved after the break and pressed well for our equaliser, but that poor clearance for United's winner will haunt him.

Further forward, one midfielder disappeared for large chunks of the first half and showed a reluctance to shoot when opportunities presented themselves. The other got into good positions early on but did nothing with them, only becoming a genuine threat after the interval.

Up front, the false nine experiment produced mixed results. One forward probably tried too hard in the first half, leading to diminishing returns, but his second-half performance was transformed. His brilliant play created our first goal and he followed it up with a swift assist for the second. His strike partner had one wayward shot and took a knock to his ankle just as he was starting to influence proceedings, before improving after the break without ever quite reaching the levels we know he's capable of.

The substitutions told their own story. One replacement made a good challenge and caused problems with his running, getting close with one effort. Another should have closed down quicker for United's winner but added real pace and directness when he came on. The third change was described as 'the substitution that hardly ever works' and lived down to expectations once again.

What makes this defeat particularly frustrating is that it was avoidable. We showed in the second half that we have the quality to compete with anyone when we get our act together. The problem is consistency, and at this stage of the season, that's a luxury we can't afford.

The mathematics are stark now. Arne Slot's side need four points from their final three games to guarantee Champions League qualification. It should be straightforward, but after performances like this, nothing feels certain anymore.