text: John Carver admits Newcastle United need to look at the 'DNA' of their dressing-room this summer. The Magpies were beaten for the fifth successive time in Tyne-Wear derbies during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. Head coach Carver says the club's hierarchy have already spoken about addressing their shortcomings during the close-season, and concedes that character is one issue they have to consider. Newcaslte boss John Carver admits the club need to look at the 'DNA' of their dressing-room this summer . Newcastle players train at the club's training complex on Thursday ahead of Monday's clash with Liverpool . Newcastle trio Moussa Sissoko, Vurnon Anita and Massaido Haidara take a breather during training . Ryan Taylor attemps to bend the ball around some dummies and hit the target during Thursday's session . 'There is something in the DNA,' said Carver. 'We've had different managers but the same group of players (keep getting beat). There aren't many Ws (wins) next to their names. 'It's something we need to look at. We struggle when we have to compete. We have talked about addressing that in the summer. 'We are going to invest in the summer so there will be new players around to take us forward.' Newcastle failed to show at the Stadium of Light and Carver later admitted he was 'embarrassed' by the performance. Jermain Defoe (centre) connects beautifully with a left-footed volley to score the winner for Sunderland . Newcastle players look dejected following Sunday's 1-0 defeat to rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light . And he added: 'A lot of people in the dressing-room know they didn't perform and didn't do themselves justice. 'I brought them in on Monday when they were meant to be off, I wasn't accepting that. 'Monday was one of my darkest days. It just was not good enough. 'You can do all your preparation you want but it doesn't matter if you don't perform on a Saturday. I don't want training-ground players.' Carver admits he was embarrassed by the performance against Sunderland as Newcastle failed to show . United are nine points clear of the relegation zone and travel to Liverpool on Monday. Carver, though, is taking nothing for granted with regards survival. 'There is only nine points in it,' he said. 'That could be six points if we get nothing at Liverpool. We need points. I'm not interested in how we play, we just need points. 'We have a seven-game season now. These next seven games could define the players. There are a few in there who are out of contract.'
target: Newcastle lost 1-0 to rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday .
  John Carver admits the Magpies struggle when they have to compete .
  Newcastle play Liverpool on Monday and are nine points above drop zone .