Liverpool 1-1 Hearts; Liverpool win 2-1 on agg | Europa League report | Football | The Guardian
This tie played second fiddle to the going ons off the field very near the transfer deadline. An inkling of an impending move first came with the absolute absence of big Andy from the squad. Charlie Adam did not feature as well, and neither did Jay Spearing. Of course, Joe Cole is only at Anfield in body, not spirit. This was confirmed late at night with deals being finalised for Andy Carroll to West Ham, The Charlie to Stoke and Jay to Bolton or Sunderland or some such club.
As for the match, the only consonant with Europe was the sell-out crowd, everything else being lack lustre. The players probably found it difficult to motivate themselves with one in the group stages, the lack of glamorous opposition and off-field activities. BR found time and opportunity to even blood young Adam Morgan ahead off more experienced personnel. And so the match trudged on in somnolence-inducing aura until the very end when Pepe contrived to add drama by letting slip a tame shot in and provoking thoughts of extra time and shock exits. This only lasted 3 minutes when Luis Suarez danced his way in to the Hearts penalty area and squeezed the ball in from the acutest of angles to put paid to such nasty thoughts. Of note though, Joe Allen was very impressive, Stevie G improved and Raheem Sterling definitely did better when replacing Adam Morgan. Fabio Borini was brought in late but it looks like he might have to fight for a place with the possibly in-coming Daniel Sturridge. All thoughts to Arsenal and maximum points for the first time this Sunday next.
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