The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Liverpool leave it late to see off bravehearts
LUIS SUAREZ spared goalkeeper Pepe Reina’s blushes — and some of his own — as his late goal fired Liverpool into the Europa League group stage at the expense of Hearts.
Brendan Rodgers’side were punished for not adding to their 1-0 aggregate lead when Reina let a David Templeton shot squeeze through late on.
With extra time looming, Liverpool rallied and Suarez made amends for missing two earlier gilt-edged chances with a fine finish in the 88th minute.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and star forward Suarez, both rested for the first leg at Tynecastle, were included along with the likes of Reina, Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel.
With Rodgers having expressed a liking for “multi-functional” players, England winger Stewart Downing was fielded at left-back while Jordan Henderson was given a chance.
Hearts fielded the same side that started the first leg last week with captain Marius Zaliukas overcoming a thigh injury.
The Jambos played some neat football and were not intimidated by Liverpool’s reputation, but aside from a dipping early shot wide from Callum Paterson they lacked penetration.
Liverpool created a number of openings in the first half and had a great chance when Morgan headed back a deep cross from Downing. Suarez reached it to get a header on target but Zaliukas hacked off the line with Jamie MacDonald beaten.
Hearts appealed for a penalty when Paterson went down with Carragher in close proximity, but contact was minimal.
Morgan tested MacDonald with a longrange shot as Liverpool came forward again but the goalkeeper managed to clutch the ball at the second attempt as Gerrard hunted the rebound.
Hearts then breathed a big sigh of relief when Morgan side-footed home in the 34th minute, only to have the effort ruled out as the ball had gone out before Suarez crossed.
Liverpool maintained the pressure in the second half, with Jonjo Shelvey finding space to shoot wide from 25 yards.
The hosts seemed certain to take the lead in the 65th minute when Suarez, who had been goaded by the Hearts fans, timed a run perfectly to race through on MacDonald’s goal.
Suarez looked poised to take it round the goalkeeper and score but his touch was heavy and the chance was wasted.
His finishing ability was again brought into question just moments later when, after doing the hard part to beat Zaliukas, he blasted wide.
Sterling replaced Morgan to a huge ovation and immediately looked lively as he chased a first senior goal. He was denied only by a vital block by Daniel Grainger after one good run.
Despite Liverpool’s dominance Hearts were still only a goal away from taking the tie to extra-time.
Grainger lined up a shot but his effort was deflected for a corner off the wall.
That was a warning for the Reds — and it was one they did not heed as Hearts made them pay for their earlier profligacy six minutes from time.
Templeton seized on a clearance and took a couple of touches before firing at Reina.
It was well struck but the keeper should have dealt with it, only it squirmed through his grasp.
Liverpool were forced to rouse themselves for one last push and Suarez made no mistake as he burst down the left and fired low across goal from a tight angle.