UEFA Champions League/Europa League play-offs 1st Leg

Not a vintage performance but a win's a win.

Hearts done ok but for all their hard work, the only time they came close to scoring was a shot from more or less nothing right at the end which forced Reina into a good save.

Two positives from tonight were Allen's performance (again) when he came on and Sterling - the only concern about the kid is that he's built like a kid but he had no problems tonight and looked a threat all game.
 
Bit disappointed with the end result, I didn't see all the match as my flatmate was watching some daft food programme but from what I did a draw would have been a fair outcome. Hearts may not have had many clear opportunities but I don't think that you could say Liverpool did much better in that regard aside from Borini's chance. It was, however, a great ball from Kelly which led to the goal - a shade unlucky for Webster but sometimes it just happens like that.

Did anyone else notice the commentators swiftly switching from "it's been all Hearts..." to "always thought Liverpool would win it" kind of thing after the goal was scored?
 
BaZ87 said:
Sterling - the only concern about the kid is that he's built like a kid but he had no problems tonight and looked a threat all game.
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Looks like he could be a good player for you. I know it was against Hearts but his running with the ball was very good, he also one asset which is never a bad thing. Speed!!
 
MooMoo444 said:
How did liverpool only manage 1-0?

Hearts are like sunday league are they not?
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What's worse beating the 2nd/3rd best team in Scotland or drawing with the 5th best team in Greece?

BaZ87 said:
Two positives from tonight were Allen's performance (again) when he came on and Sterling - the only concern about the kid is that he's built like a kid but he had no problems tonight and looked a threat all game.
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Sterling has shown more last night than Downing has in his 60 odd games for us.

Think it also showed last night that Downing at LB would be tragic, hopefully it will shut up all the muppets on various forums and whatnot that he isn't an option there.
 
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He's a huge prospect but he's not ready to play regular first team football yet; he's 17 years old but he's built like a 14 year old. For now he should be restricted to Europa League/League Cup games and a spot on the bench; he'd be a handy player to bring on with 15 minutes to go against tired defenders.
 
The problem is when Downing's selected to play ahead of Sterling at the weekend, there's going to no shortage of people complaining that Sterling's not playing.
 
Which is why you dont play Downing in any of the front 3 positions. I would even play Johnson in the front 3 before Downing (I actually think Glen would be a better fit then Downing up there too, trouble is he is the best Right back at the club and possibly the best Left back too)

Suarez isn't a number 9, from memory he plays/ed in the wide attacking positions for both Ajax and Uruguay so that's where he would best fit for us, have Borini in the middle of the front 3 and throw Gerrard up top and have him and Luis interchange, both are clever enough to do it. Hell you could even play Stevie as a false No 9 with Borini and Suarez in the wider positions.

Midfield 3 of Allen, Lucas and Henderson/Sahin if he signs (and in time).
 
No1newts said:
I will be ******* furious if we chuck this away.

Chance to play in Europe and he puts out a **** team, what was the point in trying to finish fifth if this is the result.

1-0 down to nobodies, ******* farce.
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Because there is more money in the premier league.

- We have a better chance of qualifying for European football in the premier league.
- We play Chelsea in less than 48 hours.
- It's a chance for fringe players to make a name for themselves.

I was personally satisfied with how the game panned out. Yes it was dull and boring to watch. Cisse was clearly told to walk through the game, and use as little energy as possible. We made 9 changes (10 if Colo was fit last week) from the spurs game, and we still had a pretty strong team, that I was confident would win the game. It's pleasing newcastle can rest their full starting XI and still produce a result in Europe.

Good points -
Anita looks very good on the ball, I'd like to see him play in a stronger team though.
"Bigi" is going to be some player, already at 18 he looks strong, wins the ball, can pass. He made a few error, but these will be ironed out over time. I remember Tiote making a few errors when he first started playing :D.
Ryan Taylor is always a threat! What a free kick by the way.

Bad Points -
Tavernier can't play in big games, I had high hopes for this youngster as he's developed quickly. At one point I thought he'd match Simpson, but Simmo has a better footballing head than him. I hope over time he learns to adapt and becomes better.
Obertan is still ****, after all Graham Carr can still make mistakes, and he's not a robot! :p.
 
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semi-pro waster said:
Did anyone else notice the commentators swiftly switching from "it's been all Hearts..." to "always thought Liverpool would win it" kind of thing after the goal was scored?
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Condescending pro english commentators surprised at hearts 'keeping up' with liverpool throughout the match. I was surprised ITV didn't keep flashing up on screen 'LOL Scottish Team in Europe! LOL' every five minutes.....

MooMoo444 said:
How did liverpool only manage 1-0?

Hearts are like sunday league are they not?
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Hearts scraped a 1 - 0 win against Auchenlecht Talbot in the cup last season even with Talbot gettinig a legitmate goal knocked off ;)
 
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