Sunderland defender Darren Williams admitted his side just didn't have enough quality to deprive Liverpool of victory at Anfield yesterday.
Despite having an extra man for half of the game, Peter Reid's men never seriously troubled Jerzy Dudek and left pointless after Emile Heskey's first half goal.
Williams said: "It's always hard when teams go down to 10 men because they get men behind the ball. It's hard to break them down, especially a quality side like Liverpool.
"We had planty of possession but could not get that vital breakthrough and it was disappointing. Our passing was bit sloppy and at half time we talked about that but things didn't go right for us.
"Kevin Phillips had a couple of chances from long range in the first half but it wasn't to be. He scored from similar distance last season and I think he had that in his mind when he struck that shot which flew just wide.
"We've conceded a daft goal in a way, from a set piece and it's disappointing not to come away with anything."
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