"Disappointed but not worried."

That was Sunderland boss Roy Keane's verdict on Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool – a game in which he saw far more pluses than minuses.

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And the Irishman reckoned that in pushing Liverpool so close, the club put down a marker on a season in which he feels his side will be far more of a Premier League force than they were last time out.

"When we played Liverpool last year," he reflected, "I HOPED we'd get a good result.

"On the morning of this game, I woke up and I THOUGHT we'd get a good result.

"That's the difference. That's the progress we've made.

"If we'd got beaten four or five-nil by Liverpool, people might have wondered how we were doing.

"But football is a small place and people know we are making progress.

"If we weren't, I would never have been able to sign the players I have.

"I know that because I tried to sign them last summer!

"I don't think we were hanging on at the end too much, but I think Liverpool will get on the bus and be glad to see the back of us.

"Believe me, that was a big result for Liverpool."

All the signs were good from the four Sunderland debutants and, in the first half in particular, the Black Cats were the stronger side.

Keane said: "Performance-wise: I'm fairly pleased.

"The new lads in particular have done well – it's important they settle in well and they have done.

"It's vital we have a happy environment and I think we've got that. The level of training has been fantastic, but maybe we've lacked a little bit of match sharpness. It's hard to gauge and I'm not here to make excuses.

"I'm delighted with the squad, let's not forget there's a lot of lads playing who have been with me at the club since I got the job.

"We have certainly improved as a football club, even though there are no guarantees in this game.

"I think we would have won games against most sides on the day, but we didn't and that's why Liverpool will be up there challenging at the very top of the table.

"We are a different animal to them.

"They have a fantastic history and they will be aiming for league titles and European Cups this year.

"So it's great that we are feeling disappointed at being beaten by Liverpool.

"To lose 1-0 and be disappointed shows the progress we are making. My players are as disappointed as I have seen them and that gives me some satisfaction."

Keane admits himself that he is notoriously difficult to please, but he knew after the game that despite losing, the omens are good, especially if one or two more signings can be made before August 31's transfer deadline.

"The result and performance against Liverpool wouldn't have changed my mindset on the fact that we still need to strengthen positions," he said.

"But the attitude of the players was spot on.

"Not an issue. And that's good for me as a manager.

"The defeat won't make or break our season.

"It would have been nice if we'd got something but we played well and it's probably more important how we do against the teams around and below us."