STEVEN GERRARD today promised there will be no sulking at Melwood as Liverpool bid to bounce straight back from their Carling Cup nightmare. The atmosphere at the Reds' training ground was understandably subdued this morning, as Roy Hodgson's squad came to terms with the shock of losing 4-2 to League Two side Northampton Town on penalties at Anfield last night. It was a chastening experience for all those involved, as it was for the 11 senior men who watched from the sidelines as Liverpool laboured to a 2-2 draw after extra time. But with Sunderland arriving at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, Gerrard believes the squad will be pumped up for that crucial fixture and even feels the loss could, in time, be a help to the young men who were pitched into the fray against the Cobblers. "They will learn from this experience. Football isn't just about highs," Gerrard said. "Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows and probably learnt more from the lows because you look at yourself first, look at what went wrong and try to learn from your mistakes. "The players are allowed to be down today but it's up to players like myself to pick them back up because playing for this club there are big games every two or three days and we need to get everyone's head focused on Sunderland now. "I can understand everyone's frustration but I think the Carling Cup now, when you're part of a big club and a big squad, is all about giving young players the chance and the experience because if you put a strong side out then the kids will never get the chance to experience playing in front of big crowds and big competitions. "There are still some positives underneath the frustration. Although we've gone out and everyone is down and disappointed, the experience that would have given the lads in the dressing room might be vital for the future." Hodgson's reign has not got off to the start many might have expected but Gerrard, echoing comments Pepe Reina made after the 0-0 draw with Birmingham City, urged fans to be patient and stick with the team. "What I would ask all the supporters is to trust the players and what the players are saying," Gerrard stressed. "I've been reading and listening to what they've been saying and they've all said we'll get it right in the end - and we will." | 
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