Liverpool 1-1 Hearts Match Report
After last week’s 1-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, Liverpool was hoping to finish off a stubborn Hearts side that made things very difficult in Edinburgh.
Many experts would expect Liverpool to win convincingly at Anfield against the Scottish side, but Brendan Rodgers stressed that he would not be taking Hearts lightly.
Liverpool was buoyed by their performance against Manchester City at the weekend and would be hoping to build on that showing against Hearts to increase their confidence.
The Team
Brendan Rodgers named a much stronger team than he did last week, with Suarez and Gerrard included in the line-up.
Skrtel partnered Carragher at the heart of the defence with Kelly at right-back and a new position for Downing at left-back.
Jordan Henderson came back into the side after falling out of favour in recent league games, and great to see youngster Adam Morgan getting a chance up front.
The Match
A tremendous atmosphere at Anfield , for the visit of Hearts, who brought a brilliantly, vocal travelling support down from Edinburgh.
Stewart Downing excelled in the early stages in his new role, racing down the left and floating crosses into the middle. One such cross found the 18 year old, Adam Morgan at the back post, but the youngster failed to control.
In the 12th minute, Downing provided another cross which Morgan headed back across the face of goal to Suarez, who nodded over the advancing keeper, only to see his effort cleared off the line.
Callum Paterson looked a threat for the visitors and fired a shot over the bar early on.
At the other end Suarez nutmegged a Hearts defender before having his cross deflected behind.
Liverpool was dominating the play in the first half and quick to win the ball back as they showed signs of Brendan Rodgers philosophy.
Morgan produced a stinging drive in the 25th minute which MacDonald almost spilled into the path of Gerrard.
Moments later Gerrard burst into the box, driving past two defenders only to see his dinked effort blocked by MacDonald.
Then Suarez cut the ball back from the goal-line for Morgan to tap into the net, but the youngster’s celebration s was short lived as the linesman’s flag was raised as he adjudged Suarez had taken the ball out of play before he crossed.
After the interval Liverpool stepped up the pace with Joe Allen the main instigator in proceedings.
With Hearts remaining resolute against Liverpool’s pressure, Brendan Rodgers decided to bring on Raheem Sterling for Adam Morgan for the last 30 minutes. Morgan was rewarded with a standing ovation from the Kop.
The pressure was turned up a notch as Sterling ran at the Hearts defence. Then Henderson played through Suarez, but after rounding the Hearts keeper, he had his effort blocked behind to safety.
A minute later Suarez smashed an effort past MacDonald’s post as the pressure mounted.
Chance after chance was coming and going at the Hearts end, but Liverpool could not penetrate the Hearts defence.
Then with 6 minutes remaining Liverpool was stunned when Templeton struck a speculative effort from 25 yards straight at Reina, the Liverpool keeper spilled the ball into his net to send the visiting support wild and levelling the tie.
The game looked certain for extra-time when Suarez burst through the Hearts defence from midfield before firing low past MacDonald and breaking Scottish Hearts.
It was a tough end for Hearts, but massive relief for Liverpool.
The Summary
Impressive to see Rodgers field such a strong team against Hearts and also give Adam Morgan his first start. Liverpool moved the ball well and played some nice stuff, but I never felt we created enough chances for all the possession we had. Suarez was very wasteful, but then popped up with an amazing goal to save Liverpool. Morgan played well and was unlucky to have his effort chalked off. Downing played very well in an unfamiliar role at left-back, and Joe Allen was very impressive once again in the middle. I thought Liverpool would have won comfortably, but great credit to Hearts they played brilliantly and defended superbly, probably deserved to get to extra-time for their efforts. Another worrying defensive mistake contributing to a goal, this time Reina, and he is starting to make quite a few mistakes that he never used to. Good to get past Hearts although it was hard work.
The Kopite View 
Interesting Report , amazing the different ways people view the match, I thought the Reds were on the whole very poor against a mediocre team although Allen, Morgan and Sterling as well as Stevie G earned their corn.We really need to step up to the plate if we are going to make any impact at all this season. Deadline day will be crucial.
I wonder why the fucking reina kept keeping in poles for #lfc he need to be get rid of until then Tp4 is impossible. He’s cot us for the past 4 to 5yrs.