Past lessons can help Hearts survive another stern examination

Hearts were left chasing shadows when Tottenham Hotspur came to Edinburgh a year ago.

The likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Jermaine Defoe glittered on a dark night for the Tynecastle club as they shipped five goals to their illustrious visitors. That was that. Tie over.

There may well be some trepidation when Liverpool alight in Gorgie on Thursday night for their Europa League qualifying play-off round first leg. Andy Webster, the Hearts defender who endured the visit of Tottenham and a 0-0 in the dead rubber second leg seven days later, know the task Hearts face can be measured by the finances spent on assembling Liverpool's squad. However, the 30-year-old is hopeful lessons have been learned from their mauling 12 months ago so his side will make a better fist of matters against the likes of Luis Suarez and Pepe Reina.

"Sometimes getting in and around great players is easier said than done," he said. "They were a top-quality side and the tie was over before it had even started. On Thursday night we are up against top-level opposition once more.

"We need to take the experience we had against Tottenham into the Liverpool game. If you give these players time and space then they are going to cut you open. It's difficult and it is cat-and-mouse sometimes. Do you press them and they play through you? Do you sit back and defend? Then they break through an people wonder why you are not pressing. You can't be gung-ho, and it is a balancing act.

"Domestically you can get away with things, but at this level one step in the wrong direction and they are in and have scored a goal. That's the difference; that's why those players are playing at a club like Liverpool. Hopefully, the lessons have been learned."

The tie with Liverpool is just one notable date in a challenging, hectic schedule for Webster in the next few weeks. He will be a key figure at Tynecastle and Anfield for the two-legged tie against Brendan Rodgers' side and he will be hopeful of being involved in Scotland's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden in September.

He has made large strides side injury reduced him to playing just seven games in two years between 2007 and 2009. Now revitalised, the big games taste all the sweeter. "I think when you have seen the other side of things you don't take these games for granted," said Webster. "Having gone through the tough times, when you do get back to this level you appreciate it."

While Webster is preparing to face the likes of Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Fabio Borini, Hearts are sweating over the fitness of his centre-back partner, Marius Zaliukas. The club captain limped out of the weekend's 2-2 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle with a dead leg and is a doubt. "You need your best players when you are facing a side like Liverpool," said Webster. "Playing against £35m worth of talent, you need the best players available."

Taken from the Herald