SEB LARSSON can see how comfortable and settled Sunderland are under Gus Poyet.

The Black Cats’ chief may have made five changes to his side for the trip to Liverpool, but on the back of a testing week after facing Chelsea and then Manchester City, it was understandable.

Poyet is the sort of coach who sets his side out to play with a certain style and format and, while they may have had a defensive set-up at Anfield, the solid platform it gave them kept them competitive and solid.

“I spoke a few weeks ago about the team getting a little bit more settled and people knowing their roles and what we're trying to do, what we're trying to achieve,’’ reflected Larsson. “It's never going to be perfect every game but I think we're more solid, we know what we're trying to do and we just need to put the ball in the back of the net.

“I know it's one thing saying it but I'm sure we'll get there.’’

This was the Black Cats’ fifth 0-0 of the season and their eighth draw. With more confidence and more adventure, they could have won it.

“We just need to do things slightly better,’’ added Larsson. “When the chances come we need to be a bit more clinical. It's a confidence thing as well. On another day we could have had two goals and two very good penalty shouts.

“I think the main thing is we're sniffing. It's more of a worry if you don't have a shot on target or a chance that's a different story but we feel like we're there or thereabouts and we're missing chances. That's better than not creating them.

“It's a massive thing being a bit more solid and we've got to try and use that. Teams know they're going to have to push a lot of players forward to try and break us down and that's when you have to exploit that and get down the other end. But we're working hard on it and it's going to get better.’’

Larsson was instrumental in keeping the midfield ticking over, and he admitted: “This season, probably yes it is my best form. I feel comfortable at the moment.

“You always want to play 90 minutes so I was disappointed comng off but that's part of football. I feel good, I feel confident and I just want to play.

“It helps that I've been playing in a settled position and I feel like I'm getting to know it. I feel more comfortable and I feel like I know what the manager wants from me there. I'm feeling better and better.

“The way we're playing now I feel central midfield is where I belong and where I want to play.”