The midfielder, now looking forward to Saturday's return to former club Tottenham, said: "It's always disappointing to lose and we were pretty down immediately afterwards, but we played some really good stuff and were the better side in the first half.

"They're a quality team with some quality players and we knew at certain points in the game they would have their spell and they did.

"But I thought we defended magnificently as a team. The only chance they got was the goal they scored, when we backed off a little too much.

"You learn from your mistakes and if we put in them kind of performances against other teams we'll get our just rewards because you don't play against Torres, Keane, Gerrard and Alonso every week."

Reid is happier to have Robbie Keane on his side rather facing him this week – the two will be re-united as team-mates when they play for the Republic of Ireland against Norway in Oslo tomorrow.

The Sunderland star said: "Against quality players, you'd always be happier playing with them than against them.

"But I enjoyed the game against Liverpool, I have to say. I just didn't enjoy the result. It's never nice to lose.

"It's the professional pride thing – when you walk off the pitch, you have to shake hands with people. It's not very nice, but you do it because that's the right thing to do.

"But we played some good football and I enjoyed playing with our new signings and seeing how I've progressed and the lads who were at the club last season have progressed.

"That's what the manager has said – he doesn't want anyone getting left behind as the club as the team progresses."

Reid is hoping that he can make his mark for Sunderland in his first full season at the club, especially now that he is fully fit.

He said: "I haven't really had injuries at Sunderland. When I got to the club, I was getting over injuries I had at Charlton.

"I've started every game at Sunderland since signing, apart from one, and I came on as a sub in that.

"Touch wood, injuries have been OK so far and hopefully it continues that way.

"I'm looking to do well.

"You always want to score and set up as many goals as you can each season, so, in that respect, this season is no different to how I approached last season or the one before.

"It's something you have in your head – set yourself targets and goals and try achieve as many of them as you can.

"But, yes, I want this to be a big season for me and a successful season for Sunderland."

* Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards has been forced to withdraw from Trinidad and Tobago's game against Cuba this week after a bereavement.

* Tickets are still available for Sunderland's first away game of the season at Spurs on Saturday.

The club has taken its maximum allocation of 3,000 tickets for the game, on a non-returnable basis, priced at £33 for adults, £20 for over 65's and £17 for under 16's.

Tickets are available from the Stadium of Light ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline 0871 911 1973.