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Live Commentary: Liverpool vs. Hearts

Sports Mole brings you live commentary of Liverpool's Europa League encounter against Hearts from Anfield with the tie still in the balance.

Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole live commentary of Liverpool's Europa League qualifier against Scottish Premier League side Hearts.

Hosting Liverpool lead the tie 1-0 following last week's encounter at Tynecastle.

That means Hearts go into this Anfield encounter knowing that only a win will do if they are to reach to Europa League group stages.

Please note that the game is due to get underway at 8.05pm.


9.59pmThanks for joining us here at Sports Mole for an enthralling 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Hearts, with Brendan Rodgers's side progressing 2-1 on aggregate.

9.58pmWhile Reds fans get their breath back I'll inform you that Newcastle United are also through in Europe by a solitary goal, a Haris Vuckic goal good enough to give the Toon a 2-1 aggregate victory over Greek side Atromitos.

9.57pmWell that was some ending to the match, all the drama saved up for a frantic final 10 minutes.

9.55pmThe Hearts fans can be heard loud and proud at Anfield but it's Liverpool who go through to the group stage draw for the Europa League in Monaco on Friday.

9.54pmHearts can be very proud of a top away performance. They were just five minutes from taking the tie to extra time.

9.53pmFull-time at Anfield and Liverpool squeak through after a brilliant fight from Hearts late on. Unconvincing showing from the Reds but job done.

9.52pmLiverpool have the ball in the corner, just where they want, as time ticks on.

9.50pmThree added minutes at Anfield, and Liverpool look to have ridden the storm.

8.50pmHearts were in dreamland for a matter of minutes.

9.49pmThat is so tough on a spirited Hearts team.

9.48pmSuarez scores, relief for Liverpool. He roams forward unchallenged and slides the ball under MacDonald to put the Reds back ahead in the tie. Heartbreak for the Jambos.

9.47pmJust a reminder we are now level at 1-1 on aggregate.

9.46pmLiverpool are stunned, Rodgers is out on the touchline urging his players forward.

9.46pmReina has had an absolute clanger there, very poor from the usually reliable Spaniard. We are five minutes from extra time at Anfield, quite remarkable.

9.45pmA goal for Hearts. David Templeton's low shot is spilled by Pepe Reina. Game on, incredible scenes.

9.44pmGrainger's free kick comes off the wall and goes out for a corner kick, their first of the match.

9.43pmHearts have a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after David Templeton is fouled by Sterling. Big chance here for Hearts.

9.42pmAllen drives forward and picks out Gerrard on the left. He beats two but tries to take on a third and is tackled.

9.41pmCarrick immediately takes a measure of revenge with a late lunge on Allen. Yellow card for the Hearts youngster.

9.39pmHearts have a shout for a free-kick in a dangerous area. Joe Allen brings down substitute Carrick from behind without touching the ball, but the referee waves play on. Hearts fans voice their displeasure.

9.38pmTen minutes left at Anfield and Liverpool still lead Hearts 1-0 on aggregate by a solitary goal at Tynecastle.

9.37pmLiverpool also make their second change. Jordan Henderson has come off, Italian striker Fabio Borini is introduced.

9.36pmHearts have made another change. Novikovas has left after a tireless performance out wide, to be replaced by Dale Carrick.

9.35pmAnother brilliant run from the substitute Sterling forces a corner for the Reds.

9.34pmAfraid to be the 1,29995th person to mention it but Liverpool and wasteful finishing just seem to go hand in hand in recent seasons.

9.33pmDespite constant Liverpool pressure this tie is somehow still alive.

9.32pmAnother close effort from Liverpool. A mazy Sterling run eventually finds Gerrard, who hits the post from six-yards out.

9.30pmJordan Henderson slides a brilliant pass into the path of Suarez, who collides with MacDonald instead of the ball. The Hearts keeper took a knee to the face and needs a moment to recover.

9.28pmGerrard is involved again as he forces a good save from MacDonald from 30 yards.

9.27pmSteven Gerrard slips in Raheem Sterling but he cuts back inside and the ball is cleared for a throw.

9.26pmHearts make a chance. Striker John Sutton is replaced by Andrew Driver.

9.25pmShelvey plays Suarez in again under a minute later. He finds space in the box but fires wide from an acute angle.

9.24pmSuarez has just missed a sitter. He rounds the keeper but he waits to shoot and a Hearts defender clears the ball onto the post. More frustration for the Uruguayan.

9.23pmLovely turn from Suarez who passes to Gerrard, who has a shot blocked from 20 yards.

9.22pmAnd here comes Sterling. He replaces Adam Morgan who looked threatening at times but lacked the clinical touch that comes with experience.

9.21pm.Brendan Rodgers is busy on the touchline and looks to be ready to introduce Raheem Sterling as a substitute.

9.20pmHe finds Martin Skrtel but his header flashes wide.

9.19pmLiverpool are building more pressure and win another corner. Steven Gerrard to take.

9.18pmJordan Henderson exchanges passes with Downing, but his cross misses Suarez waiting in the six-yard box.

9.16pmMartin Kelly has got into some good positions but his final ball is inconsistent. He aims a pass towards Adam Morgan which flies aimlessly out of play.

9.15pmHearts still look comfortable at 0-0, Liverpool need to work harder to stretch the match.

9.13pmJoe Allen picks the ball up in midfield and finds Suarez, who plays a clever through ball into Morgan. He drifts offside and the chance is gone.

9.10pmHearts clear two consecutive Liverpool corners and attempt to push up the pitch and earn their defence a break.

9.09pm18-year-old Morgan looks slightly strange with a number 50 on his back, but the boy clearly has talent and confidence. A darting run wins the Reds a corner.

9.08pmSuarez again over-elaborates on the edge of the penalty area and ends up giving away a soft free-kick.

9.06pmSuarez and Gerrard get the second half underway.

9.05pmTime for Liverpool to get the crowd back onside early in the second half and create some clear-cut opportunities. An early goal would effectively end this tie.

9.02pmLuis Enrique could also provide width down the left, although Stewart Downing has had a lively 45 minutes in a new role at full-back.

9.00pmRodgers has options on the bench if he wants to change things. Young winger Raheem Sterling was impressive against Manchester City this weekend and could take advantage of some tired Hearts legs late in the match.

8.57pmHearts boss John McGlynn says his team are still very much in it at half-time and he is not wrong. If they can keep the game goalless and let the nerves build at Anfield a shock could still be on the cards.

8.54pmLiverpool's closest opening of the first half was a disallowed goal from 18-year-old striker Adam Morgan. His effort was chalked off by the linesman, who saw Luis Suarez dribble the ball out of play earlier in the attack.

8.53pmBrendan Rodgers will want a second-half improvement to put this tie to bed.

8.52pmHalf time here at Anfield and the score is goalless. Liverpool still lead by a single goal on aggregate and the tie is still alive. Hearts fans are in good voice after a spirited 45 minutes from the Jambos.

8.48pmHearts have over committed from a set-piece and Liverpool break dangerously. Adam Morgan has three unmarked in the box but falls on the ball. A big chance goes begging for the Reds.

8.46pmKelly is in again down the right but a good block from Novikovas stops the cross.

8.45pmTempleton is at the heart of everything good from Hearts tonight. The 23-year-old finds a pocket of space on the edge of the area, but his shot is high and wide.

8.43pmDowning picks out Suarez with an assured cross, but the Uruguayan dithers on the ball and the chance is gone.

8.42pmHearts go up the other end and nearly create a good chance. Templeton crosses well and finds John Sutton in the six-yard box, but he is off balance and heads well wide.

8.40pmMorgan looks gutted but the linesman looks to have made the right call, with Luis Suarez dribbling the ball past the touchline in the build-up.

8.38pmLiverpool are starting to keep possession better, with Martin Kelly constantly providing an outlet down the right. His cross finds Morgan who finishes neatly, he wheels away but the linesman rules it out.

8.35pmI think the Reds must have heard me. Steven Gerrard roams into the penalty area and his cheeky lofted finish forces a good save from MacDonald.

8.34pmAnfield has gone a little flat as Liverpool struggle to create meaningful chances.

8.33pmTempleton's cross is deep but the ref blows up for pushing in the area from Hearts defender Webster.

8.32pmCarragher concedes a foul, but this time its a free kick outside the area. Chance here for David Templeton to deliver.

8.31pmHearts continue to grown in confidence and have a penalty appeal. John Sutton goes down under a challenge from Jamie Carragher, but the referee is not impressed and waves play on.

8.30pmIn tonight's other Europa League tie featuring an English club, Newcastle United have the lead against Atromitos, Haris Vuckic with the goal.

8.29pmJoe Allen finds Kelly out wide on the right-hand side, but he wastes a strong crossing opportunity with numbers in the box. Chance missed there.

8.28pmGerrard unleashes a drive from deep, which is blocked by Hearts captain Zaliukas.

8.25pmHearts have a throw in the Liverpool half and McGowan is going to go long. It comes Taouil but his shot falls harmlessly to Pepe Reina.

8.23pmHearts fans are in fantastic voice at Anfield and their team are still alive after a decent start. Plenty to be cheerful about tonight in the first twenty minutes.

8.20pmA shot cleared off the line for Liverpool. A great cross from Downing finds Suarez, who has a shot cleared at the last moment after a knock down from Gerrard.

8.18pmShelvey plays a wonderful cross-field pass to Martin Kelly. That's the type of football Brendan Rodgers will want to see from his midfield trio.

8.17pmPSV Eindhoven have just set the bar very high for Liverpool in their Europa League match tonight, thumping FC Zeta 9-0. Ridiculous scoreline at this level.

8.16pmSteven Gerrard shows a nice bit of captaincy there, grabbing Morgan and calming the young forward down after a rash tackle just minutes ago.

8.15pmDowning looks to be enjoying his new left-back role early on. He delivers a cross into the box which is eventually cleared by Andy Webster.

8.14pmMartin Skrtel takes a heavy fall after an aerial challenge with John Sutton. Looks a bit shaken up.

8.13pmDavid Templeton creates a nice opening out wide for Hearts but fails to make the cross count.

8.12pmMorgan commits to a challenge and is very late with a sliding tackle. He is lucky to avoid a yellow card early on.

8.11pmJamie Carragher fails to find the target with a header from the resulting corner kick.

8.10pmMarin Kelly picks out Suarez in the penalty area, he bundles past two and earns a corner.

8.09pmSuarez glides past two but fails to pick out Stewart Downing out wide.

8.08pmLiverpool settle in possession early on, with 18-year-old Adam Morgan getting a nice early touch out wide.

8.05pmRight time to concentrate on matters at Anfield, with Hearts about to get the game started.

8.04pmNewcastle United have also kicked off in tonight's other Europa League match involving a Premier League team. Their tie with Greek side Atromitos is finely poised at 1-1.

8.00pmRodger's also hands a start to 18-year-old striker Adam Morgan, with fellow starlet Raheem Sterling on the bench.

7.59pmThe Liverpool team looks considerably stronger than the one that narrowly beat Hearts last week, with both Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez included from the start.

7.57pmThe players are about to take to the field, stay with us for live updates as Liverpool take on Hearts.

7.53pmBrendan Rodgers has just confirmed that Andy Carroll is undergoing a medical at West Ham United. He says: "Andy has made it clear he wants to play first-team football and that is what he needs."

7.49pmNuri Sahin was an impressive addition late last week. He spoke well about the club's stature and his hopes for the season at a press conference this week. Expect him to shine if he can stay injury free.

7.46pmReds fans will hope he is not the last addition before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

7.46pmA breaking piece of transfer news for Livepool fans to get excited about. They have completed the singing of Samed Yesil from German club Bayer Leverkusen for �1m

7.43pmJust minutes from getting underway now at Anfield, lets run through the Liverpool team one more time.

7.42pmMcGlynn has named an unchanged 11 from last week's match at Tynecastle. They will need a similar performance to have any chance against a strong Liverpool side.

7.40pmHearts manager John McGlynn believes that their best strategy is keep Liverpool goalless for as long as they can before springing a late charge. Clearly a George Graham fan.

7.37pmThe choice is yours Charlie, a move to the Britannia Stadium or some Turkish delight! Jay Spearing is also set for a sixth-month loan move to Bolton Wanderers.

7.36pmThey have also revealed that the Reds have received two bids for Charlie Adam. One from Stoke City and another from an unnamed club in Turkey.

7.34pmESPN have just confirmed that Carroll is in London to carry out a medical at West Ham, with a view to a season-long loan move.

7.32pmAnfield is filling up nicely and we are just 15 minutes away from kick off. I'm sure news is reverberating around the ground surrounding Andy Carroll's likely departure.

7.30pmRodgers is a manager who loves to blood young talent, as he showed in this weekend's draw against Manchester City when he started exciting prospect Raheem Sterling to great effect.

7.28pmMore on Adam Morgan's exciting inclusion now. The 18-year-old impressed Brendan Rodgers during the Red's pre-season tour of North America to earn his chance tonight.

7.25pmHearts produced a spirited display in last week's first leg to keep the tie alive, and will have hopes of a famous European performance at Anfield tonight.

7.23pmLiverpool need only to avoid defeat this evening against Hearts to earn their place in Friday's draw for the competition's group stages.

7.21pmThe transfer news from Anfield has revolved around outgoings over the past 24 hours, with Stoke City linked with bids for both Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing.

7.18pmStriker Andy Carroll has also been left out of the squad for tonight's match,as he looks set to complete a loan move to West Ham United.

7.16pmAnother interesting element of Liverpool's team will be their choice of formation. Rodger's has hinted he is prepared to give Stewart Downing a run at left-back, tonight could be the perfect chance to experiment.

7.15pmThe most eye-catching selection from Brendan Rodgers is a start for youngster Adam Morgan in attack.

7.13pmHere is the confirmed Liverpool team: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Downing, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Shelvey, Suarez, Morgan

7.10pmGood evening and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of Liverpool's Europa League clash with Hearts. Team news for the Anfield clash to follow shortly.
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