SWEDISH international Joachim Bjorklund believes that Sunderland's spirited performance in the 1-0 home defeat against Championship-chasing Liverpool will spur them on to Premiership safety.

The hard-working central defender, who has added authority to the Wearside defence since his £500,000 transfer two months ago, feels that confidence will be high when Sunderland try to end a run of four consecutive defeats in London this season when they visit West Ham on Saturday.

He said: "We are desperate to get something out of the game at Upton Park - a win would be tremendous and would probably make us safe as well.

"I think we have put together a few decent performances recently but you know at this stage of the season that points are the most important thing.

"You are probably not going to get the best of passing games but the players will certainly give 100 per cent."

Bjorklund will not expect the same kind of deadly finishing at Upton Park that he experienced first hand in front of a record crowd at the Stadium of Light, when England striker Michael Owen gobbled up his only chance of the afternoon.

He admitted: "When someone scores a goal like that all you can do is take your hat off to him - it was a top class finish.

"He only had one chance and he took it and that's what a top class finisher does.

"It is hard to say who is the best but Michael Owen is probably in the top five in Europe and probably the world and that's good enough isn't it?"

The former Venezia defender added: "I think we played a decent game against Liverpool and our only problem was scoring goals again.

"It was encouraging, but it would have been more encouraging if we'd had some points to show for it."

Bjorklund, like his Sunderland team-mate Stefan Schwarz, has retired from international football but he will be taking a keen interest in this summer's World Cup Finals in the Far East, when Sweden will be crossing swords with England in the group matches.

He said: "Sweden are hard working, well organised and hard to break down.

"Although player to player England are probably a far better team it will be a very tight game. It always is and it is a few years since they last beat us."

On the serious foot injury to England skipper David Beckham, which casts a doubt over his World Cup chances, Bjorklund said: "I haven't heard any reaction from the Swedish players but no-one is happy when a player gets injured.

"But I think we all hope that he makes it back for the World Cup - he deserves it really."

Liverpool manager, Gerard Houllier, also hopes that Beckham will recover in time to play a part in England's campaign.

He said: "I hope he is in a position to make it to the World Cup as England's captain - he is a very influential leader."