FT: HEARTS 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Date: Thursday 23 August 2012
Kick Off: 19:45
Venue: Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh
Competition: UEFA Europa League Play-Off Round 1st Leg
Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)
Broadcast: ITV4 (19:00)


LINKS

http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=168276


DIDI'S PREDICTION LEAGUE - LAST CHANCE!

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/145005


LIVE ARTICLE

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/146370


Liverpool gained a 1-0 victory away at Hearts on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League play-off round first leg, but they were forced to work hard by a spirited home side.

Resting a number of first choice players such as Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson and Lucas, it was never going to be a straightforward game for the Reds. And Hearts produced a display that they will be very proud of, despite ultimately finishing empty-handed.

Liverpool should have taken the lead just before half time when a good piece of anticipation by Raheem Sterling created a great chance for the Reds. He squared the ball to Fabio Borini and he hit it first time but only against the post before it bounced to safety. Borini had also had an earlier chance when Jordan Henderson played in a good ball, but he failed to make a decent connection and it went harmlessly wide. The Italian was also unlucky to be flagged offside on a number of occasions throughout the evening, with replays suggesting that a number of these decisions were incorrect.

The goal eventually came 12 minutes before the end of the game and it was an own goal that put the visitors ahead. Martin Kelly played a great ball in from the right hand side and Borini failed to connect with it. But it then ran through to Andy Webster and, running back towards his own goal, he could not prevent it from deflecting in off his legs.

Hearts had a couple of efforts following the goal but failed to get the equaliser, with Pepe Reina forced into a good save late on. There was also a debut for Adam Morgan as he replaced Borini in injury time.

Liverpool will now look to finish the tie off at Anfield when Hearts visit for the second leg next Thursday.


LIVE SCOREBOARD

HEARTS - 0

LIVERPOOL - 1
Webster o.g. 78'


PREVIOUS ROUND

Hearts
n/a

Liverpool
Thursday 2 August 2012
UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round First Leg
FC Gomel 0-1 Liverpool

Thursday 9 August 2012
UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg
Liverpool 3-0 FC Gomel
agg: 4-0


TEAMS

Hearts
1 MacDonald
33 Paterson
26 Zaliukas
6 Webster
3 Grainger
4 R McGowan
7 Templeton (Driver 79')
10 Taouil
5 Barr (Robinson 87')
18 Novikovas (Carrick 84')
9 Sutton

Subs: 21 Enckelman, 8 Robinson, 11 Driver, 12 G Smith,
19 D McGowan, 29 McHattie, 37 Carrick.

Liverpool
25 Reina
34 Kelly
23 Carragher
5 Agger
49 Robinson (Downing 62')
14 Henderson
20 Spearing (Allen 68')
26 Adam
33 Shelvey
29 Borini (Morgan 90+2')
31 Sterling

Subs: 1 Jones, 16 Coates, 19 Downing, 21 Lucas, 24 Allen,
38 Flanagan, 50 Morgan.


KEY UPDATES

24: HEARTS BOOKING
Darren Barr receives a yellow card (3) for a foul on Charlie Adam.

62: LIVERPOOL SUB
Jack Robinson is replaced by Stewart Downing.

68: LIVERPOOL SUB
Jay Spearing is replaced by Joe Allen.

78: GOAL - HEARTS 0-1 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool attack and Martin Kelly sends the ball across the face of goal intended for Fabio Borini. He fails to connect with it, but Andy Webster, running back towards his own goal, cannot prevent it from deflecting off him and into the net.

79: HEARTS SUB
David Templeton is replaced by Andrew Driver.

84: HEARTS SUB
Arvydas Novikovas is replaced by Dale Carrick.

87: HEARTS SUB
Darren Barr is replaced by Scott Robinson.

90+2: LIVERPOOL SUB
Fabio Borini is replaced by Adam Morgan.


LAST MATCHES

Hearts
Saturday 18 August 2012
Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League
Hearts 2-2 Inverness

Liverpool
Saturday 18 August 2012
Barclays Premier League
West Brom 3-0 Liverpool

Head to head
n/a


TOP SCORERS

Hearts
John Sutton - 2
Andrew Driver - 1
Arvydas Novikovas - 1

Liverpool
Fabio Borini - 1
Stewart Downing - 1
Steven Gerrard - 1