Erik ten Hag insisted his Manchester United side were always in the game against Liverpool on Sunday despite being thrashed 3-0 at Old Trafford.
It comes as Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher opined that the Dutch manager will be out of a job sooner rather than later.
United were battered at home by Liverpool, who still look levels above despite Arne Slot arriving just this summer.
Ten Hag, on the other hand, is in his third season at Old Trafford yet his side could not lay a glove on their old rivals.
Erik ten Hag is under pressure already at Manchester United
SKY SPORTS
Yet the Dutchman insisted that his side were always in the contest despite the three-goal thrashing.
He said: "It's quite simple. We were in the game. It was equal after half an hour then we made two big mistakes and Liverpool took them really well. It was good finishes and they were very clinical.
"When you are 2-0 down against Liverpool, they are very dynamic. We brought someone on with legs.
"We tried to get it to 2-1. We had the shot with Joshua Zirkzee that could have done that, then we made another mistake. It was a really clinical finish from Mohamed Salah.
"I have to credit this and compliment Liverpool on how they finish. They were great goals.
JUST IN:Gary Neville gives timescale on Erik ten Hag sack decision
"It's individual quality. Liverpool have great players but I think we have such players as well.
"Zirkzee had very good positions and was nearly there. We will be fine. We have to improve, we know that. Today we have to take this but we will bounce back.
"It was the first start from Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho this season.
"We had players who came on to make an impact. We had some players who are not used to 90 minutes."
READ MORE: Gary Lineker says football has 'lost its mind' as Match of the Day host fumes over decision
Jamie Carragher argued with Gary Neville over Erik ten Hag's situation at Man Utd
Sky Sports
United were swatted aside by Liverpool after two glaring errors from Casemiro in the first half allowed Luis Diaz to net twice before Mohamed Salah made it three after the break.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Carragher insisted that Ten Hag is already on thin ice at United and reckons he will not see out the rest of the season.
He said while arguing with fellow pundit Gary Neville: "I don't think anything is going to change in terms of the football [at Man Utd].
"I have seen this before at Liverpool. Go back before Klopp came in when there was talk of Brendan Rodgers losing his job after one season.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Will Erik ten Hag get the sack this season? Comment below
PA
"They weren't sure what to do, FSG [Liverpool's ownership], and they kept him and Rodgers changed his staff.
"You expect something different, but the manager is the main man. Rodgers was gone in October.
"Ten Hag said in his interview 'we will see where we are at the end of the season'.
I would be surprised if he is still there at the end of the season."
