GUS POYET has admitted turning Sunderland around has been tougher than he thought after another frustrating afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

Poyet was a frustrated figure on the touchline as Liverpool dominated the opening half to earn a lead courtesy of Lazar Markovic’s ninth minute finish.

That proved to be the only goal of the game but the Reds could easily have scored more as Sunderland failed to find a fourth win of the 21-game Premier League season so far.

The defeat leaves the Black Cats sitting just a point above the relegation zone and concerns are increasing on Wearside.

Poyet said: “But I think they need to accept the reality. I think they should look at the team, and what has been going on for the last four or five years.

“I think they should be a little bit more patient, but it’s true that at home we are not giving them too much.

“We need to make sure we give the fans a few more wins at home, so that they can enjoy. It’s our responsibility to do that.

“We are a team that knows where we want to go, we know the qualities that we have got, what is missing.

“For me, in particular, I am disappointed because by now I thought I would have a better impact on how the team plays, but unfortunately I was wrong. It has been more difficult than I thought.

“Some players are taking longer to do the basics, and we need to keep working.”

Sunderland’s chances of claiming a point from Liverpool in the second half were not helped when midfielder Liam Bridcutt was red carded three minutes after half-time.

Having been booked for a deliberate trip to Steven Gerrard before the break, Bridcutt then was adjudged to have intentionally pulled down Emre Can and was given a second caution.

Poyet did not really have too many complaints about that decision, although did suggest that Philipe Countinho should also have been dismissed for the Reds.

The Brazilian was booked for preventing a free-kick from being quickly taken and then, in a similar instance, he was not given a second caution. The second time around, he did seem to move away as Seb Larsson struck the dead ball at him.

Poyet said: “They [Bridcutt’s offences] are fouls. They stopped an attack, so by the rules they can be yellows. And, by the rules, Coutinho should have had two yellows.

“You cannot pick and choose. You have to either referee by the rules, or by common-sense. I thought the referee today picked when he refereed with common-sense, and when he refereed by the rules.”