Jack on handing Willis the captaincy for MK Dons victory

A clean sheet in the league remains elusive, but Jack Ross believes his side are far better defensively now and the way they managed two leads last week suggested that was true.

The experience and composure of Joel Lynch was a major factor, but Jordan Willis continues to improve and his arrival on a free transfer this summer looks to be as good as any business Sunderland have done.

Quick, strong and composed, the 25-year-old had interest from the Championship, but Ross convinced him Wearside was the best place for him to grow as a player.

In a sign of the esteem with which he is already held behind the scenes, Willis was handed the captain’s armband for the 2-1 win over MK Dons.

“The previous time that neither Aiden [McGeady] nor Grant [Leadbitter] were in the side, I think it was Oxford in terms of the league,” Ross said.

“Jon captained the team, I’ve got nothing against goalkeepers being captain but it’s probably not my preferred choice.

“We thought long and hard about giving it to Jordan that day but it was his home debut, that’s a challenge as it is.

“Now, he’s been at the club a few months, he’s got to know us as staff, he knows he can handle it.

“He’s a really, really good lad and has embraced coming here.

“He’s another one we speak about who we feel as if we could improve and ideally go up the levels with us.”

*Liverpool are set to play in a brand-new 2022 World Cup venue when they compete in the Club World Cup in Qatar in December.

Football's world governing body FIFA has announced that the Reds will begin their campaign at the 40,000-capacity Education City Stadium in Doha in a semi-final on December 18.

Win or lose, they will play in the same venue which will host the third-place play-off and the final on December 21.

Jurgen Klopp's Champions League winners could face local side Al Sadd, coached by former Barcelona playmaker Xavi, Hienghene Sport of New Caledonia or most likely Mexican side Monterrey in the semi-final.

Qatar is using the 2019 and 2020 Club World Cup tournaments as a testing ground for its hosting of the 2022 World Cup finals.