FOR all their homework and preparation, Sunderland need not have bothered.

The pre-match spotlight was all about Steven Gerrard, the post-match focus likewise. In between it mattered little.

It rendered Poyet’s Gerrard-focused video session with his squad worthless: “Yeah, well done gaffer” he quipped.

Liverpool’s talisman, the only Anfield player who can lift them from an average mid-table side into something better wasn’t even starting.

Poyet’s game plan was based on stopping Gerrard from playing. Brendan Rodgers did that job for him.

Seven days after stifling Chelsea, and three following their mauling by Sergio Aguero-inspired City, the Black Cats have had a testing Premier League week.

But this was the most straight-forward of them all and, with a bit more attacking strength and intent themselves, the Black Cats could have been heading home with a win. They won’t have a better chance to end their blank run at Anfield, a streak stretching back to Gary Rowell’s penalty winner in 1983.

Their tight and compact formation, with centre-halves John O’Shea and Wes Brown at their efficient and solid best and Liam Bridcutt protecting them in a deep-lying midfield position, worked a treat.

It was only in the latter stages did they come under any sort of pressure - and that was after Gerrard’s second-half introduction.

“I'm going to tell you a little secret,’’ said Poyet. “We checked out Gerrard playing in front of the back four and Gerrard playing off the front. We watched that on video, the difference between Liverpool with Gerrard in front of the back four and Gerrard off the front. And then he was not playing.

“So I suppose a few players in there said 'yeah, well done gaffer'. All that video for no reason. So we were getting ready just in case.

“These things happen. But it's good - you play against a top team, one of those players is special, you show your team and he doesn't play. It's good news.’’

He added: “When he came on, the players on the pitch, the whole atmosphere in the stadium changed completely. That's when we started suffering because they were coming from everywhere. He's special. He's a player where only his presence on the pitch makes the whole place better. So I was quite pleased that Brendan didn't see play him.’’

It’s been some week for the players, being tested by the Premier League’s top two. Little wonder Poyet made five changes to his side.

Bridcutt did the Cattermole job as well as Cattermole could.

Strong and mobile, he swarmed around in front of the back four and, with assisted by Seb Larsson’s high work-rate and strength, the Black Cats rarely allowed anyone in behind them.

“Lee gave us two outstanding 90 minutes against the top two and I needed fresh legs and Liam was waiting. It was important that he was rested well to then give us passion that he normally gives us,’’ reflected Poyet, who introduced Cattermole late on with the pair of them doubling up in front of the back four.

But while the Reds offered little up front, likewise the Black Cats.

This was Jozy Altirore’s first Premier League start of the season. It may be a while before his next one.

The American put in an honest shift, but the nature of his game isn’t suited to English football. He’s beaten to the ball physically and doesn’t have the drive and determination to signal he will ever break his scoring duck.

Connor Wickham may not be suited to a winger’s role, but he wasn’t afraid to play the flank and get into the penalty area.

He flashed a volley wide early in the second half, but Sunderland’s best chance came from Brown, when he headed Larsson’s corner over in front of the Kop right on half time.

The visitors had the first chance of the second-half, Wickham steering a volley wide and across goal from an angle.

It was 63 minutes before Pantilimon had anything to do, getting down low to hold a Lucas Leiva drive.

He wasn’t tested after that.

There was no run out for Fabio Bornini, who enjoyed last season on loan at the Stadium of Light and has spent the majority of this campaign on the Anfield bench.

Once again Poyet was asked about the Italian’s future. If he can’t get a game in such an insipid Liverpool team, maybe it really is time for Poyet to forget about him and move on in January.