Jurgen Klopp has admitted Manchester United were more aggressive and sharper than his Liverpool side after Erik ten Hag's men secured victory over their arch-rivals at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho did the damage before Mohamed Salah replied in a 2-1 verdict that leaves the Reds winless after three Premier League outings this season.
After finishing sixth last season and failing to clinch Champions League qualification, United appointed Ten Hag this summer and his first two games at the helm resulted in humbling defeats. However, after being second best against Brighton and Brentford, there was plenty for United to savour against their most fierce rivals.
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Eyebrows were raised pre-match when Ten Hag dropped Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo in four changes to his starting XI. But those tough calls were fully justified as neat finishes from Sancho and Rashford earned them all three points in deserved fashion - and Klopp admitted his side were second best early on in the contest.
He told Sky Sports: "Maybe they were [sharper], but that's not right. When it calmed down we were there, extreme number of shots for an away game at United so we should use more of these moments. Second half was fantastic save off David de Gea and were unlucky with situations, score and the game turns. We didn't have enough power in the end.
"It was clear what will happen, but then reality shows when you're ready and if you're really ready. In the beginning, they were more aggressive than us, the challenges, they hit the post, it was a hectic game they had the first chance and scored the goal.
"We're in a tricky situation injury-wise and that's how it is. We get through the week with 14 maybe 15 senior players available and we have to make sure no more gets injured.
"During the week there is no real options left anymore. But even with our situation, I think if a little more convinced in what we do, we should have won this game. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that's how I see it. We lost it and we go again from here."
Klopp added: "It was not perfect, of course, because we lost the game and it's about results and that is the most important thing. But with the situation United was in, it was clear they would get out of the blocks [quickly].
"We were ready for it, but not 100 per cent. We have to admit this is not what we want and you have to keep on chasing the game and that's never what you want to do.
"You want to be in control. When you are in a rush a little bit because you are 2-0 down, you make [mistakes] and against a counter-attacking threat which they are, that makes it really difficult."
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