Jürgen Klopp conceded that "nearly everything" went wrong for his Liverpool side as they fell 2-0 to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Georginio Wijnaldum's second-half effort deflected off of Martin Skrtel to beat Simon Mignolet and hand the hosts the lead, before the Dutchman made sure of victory with a second in stoppage-time - after Alberto Moreno's goal was unjustly ruled offside.
It brought an abrupt end to the Reds' five-game winning streak and inflicted just a second defeat in 12 games on the German's side - who had been touted for the title in the build-up.
And with the loss leaving them seventh and six points off of the Champions League places, Klopp admitted his side were disappointing at St James' Park.
Klopp acknowledges poor performance from his team
Speaking to reporters after the game, the boss said that "nearly everything" went wrong on a scrappy afternoon - saying the "start, the middle and the end" were all below-par.
He added that it was "obviously" not a "really good football game" - suggesting that was "50 per cent" because of Liverpool's performance and another 50 per cent down to Newcastle's display.
But the Reds boss admitted that in their situation, it is "absolutely okay" for the home side - as they didn't play "too badly" and were "playing build-up" despite not creating many chances, saying Liverpool "didn't create chances either."
He explained that it was an "open game" but said there was "no rhythm" from his team, saying they "didn't defend well together" in the midfield despite their "last line" defending being "good" - also bemoaning their poor "offensive pressing" and "midfield pressing."
Klopp also insisted that that they "were not creative enough" and had "no chances" - but reserved praise for the defenders, who did a "really good job" despite having to "run the long way."
Neither side had a shot on target by the time Liverpool's net was breached for the first time, as an innocuous shot took a fortuitous deflection off of Skrtel to break the deadlock.
And Klopp spoke of the goal as "something like a Christmas present" before insisting he is "not interested in" the second goal - because it was "normal" with his side chasing an equaliser and "not the biggest issue in the world."
The boss said that he has seen "worse games" in his life but that they have to "take this game and think about why it happened" - though appreciated that the situation "was not easy" after having to change the squad because of the frequency of games they have to play.
He said that they "have to rotate and change players" and acknowledged that "sometimes it works perfectly and sometimes not" but defended his players, saying it was "not about" them.
On the analysis they need to do, he said it will be "an easy change" if they "made something wrong" before the game but was eager not to blow the result out of proportion, saying they have to "find another reason" if it wasn't due to personnel changes.
Reds boss keen not to get carried away with defeat
Liverpool had swaggered into the North East boasting some impressive away victories in recent weeks, including a 6-1 thrashing of Southampton in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup just four days earlier.
But though their bubble was burst by the Magpies, Klopp believes that his side can bounce back from the result, provided they learn their lessons.
He declared that his team has "big quality" and know they "like to work together" but vowed that they "can't ignore" the defeat, or "go on and say no problem."
The charismatic boss, uncharacteristically crestfallen in the aftermath of the game, added that "something is really wrong" if "you don't feel defeats" - saying they know that it's deserved but it hurts "like it should do."
Asked about whether his side could potentially challenge for the title later in the season, he insisted that nobody in the club "talked about this" - saying he souldn't have to "explain now why they are not" title contenders because he didn't suggest they were before the game.
He highlighted their first three draws under his management, before losing to Crystal Palace, saying it's important "not going nuts when you win" or "getting crazy when you lose" - insisting the Newcastle loss isn't a "reality check" but "only a bad game."
Liverpool boss dismisses suggestion of January transfer business
With just five games remaining this month before the opening of the January transfer window, Klopp said that his former players in Germany have been sending him messages, bragging about their two-week festive holiday, when quizzed on his thoughts on doing any business next month.
He added that between "the end of the Bundesliga and its resumption" his Liverpool team play 10 games, joking "I don't need to tell you what is easier!" to reporters.
But he said he knew about such issues before taking up the job and won't look to make new transfers "just because there is no winter break" because he "knew this before."
Klopp also insisted that "it's not a market for late decisions" and he would "like to work" with the team he already has.