Jürgen Klopp bemoaned Liverpool's lack of self-belief as they squandered the opportunity to gain a morale-boosting three points against Southampton at Anfield on Sunday evening.
After a first-half of frustration, the Reds finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute as Christian Benteke powered home a header from James Milner's cross at the Kop end.
But with Klopp closing in on a first victory as manager, Sadio Mane capitalised upon slack defending to bundle the ball over the line from a free-kick with just four minutes remaining.
It left the German without a win in three games as Liverpool boss and though he saw encouragements from their display, but said they must build upon their confidence to begin turning draws into victories.
Reds not mentally strong enough suggests Klopp
Assessing his side's performance immediately after their 1-1 draw, Klopp said he saw "many things" that he described as "really fine" from their performance - insisting that he saw two teams "fighting for a result" albeit one with "more freshness" having not had to play in midweek.
Nevertheless, he insisted that Liverpool "tried to press high" as the Saints "stayed high in the space" and lauded his team's bravery to "play football" against Ronald Koeman's charges.
And Klopp explained that his side had their "moments and situations" and created just about "everything you need to win in a close game" - saying they made the goal and "wanted to win."
He acknowledged that the free-kick James Milner, who grabbed an excellent assist for Benteke's goal, conceded was avoidable - particularly "against a team like Southampton with their spring in the air."
The Reds boss was disappointed at the fact his side "lost three one-on-ones in the air" but labelled it "bad luck" to end a draw. He was eager to stress that in the final 10 minutes or so they "didn't give up physically" but that they "didn't believe anymore" that they could still take the points.
He labelled that psychological fragility as "a problem" and said his side simply aren't "calm enough" when they have the ball in good areas and with their final ball.
Klopp explained that he is baffled by the pressure on the club but admitted that his players felt it against the Saints, saying it was evident to the supporters. However, he praised their work rate, saying they "work so hard", are full of "concentration", "readiness" and "passion" so "everything is there" for them to succeed.
But he lamented the fact that they allowed their heads to drop after conceding an equaliser, saying the Reds allowed it to feel like it was "the end of the world" when it isn't. He said "you can always come back" no matter how late it is in the game, which he must teach his side "to understand."
Reds boss believes his side were the better team
Asked to summarise his side's emotions afterwards, he admitted that things such as conceding late on to be denied a victory happens in football and referred to his side's "self-fulfilling prophecy" as they hoped that something wouldn't happen once Southampton's late free-kick went into the area, saying their mentality has to change.
He said that's what they are busy doing and must continue to do, insisting that he hopes he wasn't the only person inside Anfield that thought "it's not the end of the world" after they conceded.
Klopp defiantly vowed that Liverpool "can work with this result" as well as the "performance of the team" - because they fought well and showed "how ready they are" which the manager labelled "the most important thing" despite the result.
Klopp also took the positives from half-time substitute Benteke's impact off the bench, as he helped bring the Reds into the game in the final third more often.
He rose above the Saints' back four to send an unstoppable bullet header into the top corner with 13 minutes remaining and was otherwise very effective as the home side looked for a focal point.
And the Liverpool manager hailed the Belgian's effort as an "absolutely fantastic goal" which was one of many "good moments" on the afternoon.
He pleaded for patience, insisting that they can assess why his side "didn't make the next step" but said everyone is aware the process "takes time" after Klopp only took over earlier this month.
The charismatic coach said he saw evidence of "development" but said rival teams are obviously unwilling to wait and give them time in games, and said Koeman's side won't have found it easy themselves.
He hailed the South Coast club's performances this season and said they have "played really well" on the road, geting "good results" and "haven't lost a game" - so the quality on the opposite side, added to the fact that they had extra freshness, played its part.
But he also said that Liverpool "were the better team" and had "more situations" to get something from the game, explaining that they showed "the next step" and "many things" - but that they ultimately come away "disappointed because of the result."