Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag offered a frank assessment of his team after their 3-0 Premier League home defeat to Liverpool.
The Red Devils suffered a damaging blow against their old foes at Old Trafford as Mohamed Salah inspired Arne Slot's team to victory.
Two assists and a goal capped off an incredible showing from Salah, in what could potentially be his final Liverpool game away at United, and the gap between the two attacks was clear.
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Luis Diaz's clinically taken double, alongside Salah's game clincher, came in stark contrast to United's tally of four shots on target with no goals scored.
Liverpool's three efforts on the United goal all resulted in goals for the visitors and ten Hag insisted that ruthless edge must improve if United are to make a focused top four challenge in the months ahead.
"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. They were very clinical", as per reports from BBC Sport.
"When you are 2-0 down against Liverpool, they are very dynamic.
"We tried to get it to 2-1. We had the shot with Joshua Zirkzee, that could have done it, then we made another mistake.
"It's about individual quality. Liverpool have great players but I think we have players as well. We have to improve, we know that."
Despite ten Hag's optimism over United being able to turn the corner in the coming weeks, there is fresh concern over his position at Old Trafford, after being retained over the summer.
Victory in the FA Cup final in the last game of the 2023/24 campaign saved ten Hag's United's tenure and the club have backed him in the summer transfer market.
However, two defeats from their opening three games of the new EPL season puts the pressure back on the Dutchman, with the Red Devils back in action against Southampton on September 14.