Ten Hag reacts to Tyneside defeat

Second-half headers from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson consigned the Reds to a second straight league defeat on the road and meant the Magpies have now leapfrogged us into third place in the Premier League table.

Ten Hag was naturally unhappy with his side's performance but says we now have to learn lessons and try and leave this afternoon behind us, with important clashes against Brentford and Everton on the horizon this week.

Read further quotes from the boss following his post-match interviews with broadcasters, and his press conference, below...

WE DIDN’T RISE TO IT

“I was surprised we couldn’t match the determination, passion and desire of the opponent. When you travel to St James’ Park you know what will be going on, especially after we win the [Carabao] Cup. If you want to win big games, you have to be mature and I didn’t see that today on the pitch. I don’t think we underestimated Newcastle. They play above their levels because they’re so eager but you could expect that. They were determined to win this game, but you have to match that and be aware of the situation from the start. We didn’t enter the final third, the box, too many times of the opponent, but they could easily enter our box. We have to do much better.”

LACK OF CREATION

“I think our attacking game was not good enough. I don’t want to be focused on one person. It was about team performance. We didn’t break them down. In the first half we had a trap on the right side with Antony and Diogo [Dalot] but on the left we had almost nothing. That is the conclusion of the game. Today we didn’t create many chances and when we were there, we weren’t determined enough to score a goal. That’s the truth. The best chance was maybe for the equaliser for [Anthony] Martial, the deflected shot. But we didn’t create enough.”

CHANGES ON THE HOUR

“We were not happy. We played too high in the midfield and it was easy for the two centre-halves from Newcastle to defend our midfield players, so they had to play a bit deeper. Therefore we made the subs, to put Marcel [Sabitzer[ as no.10 and Scott [McTominay] in a deeper role.”

WHY BOTH CENTRE-BACKS CAME OFF

“You risk everything. We bring in [Anthony] Martial and [Jadon] Sancho to get more control in possession, to keep the ball, get forward, so after we are losing the game and you try to save the game to bring a goal and go one against one in the back, bring a centre back in who can defend with space in his back [Victor Lindelof] and bring an extra player in offence with [Facundo] Pellistri.”

FIND THE HUNGER

“I don’t think about two home games. I think about Brentford. That’s the first game. Go game by game and definitely we need a different attitude. I can’t say the intentions were wrong. They tried to do it but the opponent showed more hunger and willingness than we [did].”

I BELIEVE IN MY TEAM

“It's normal. In a season you have setbacks, and you have to deal with that. We did that so many times, recently after Liverpool we came back so I don’t have that concern. I believe in my team. I believe they will bounce back.”