The lessons of last year can spur Hearts, says Andy Webster

By ALAN PATTULLO
Published on Tuesday 21 August 2012 00:00

ANDY Webster knows he isn’t giving away any tactical secrets when he admits Hearts will likely go about their first Europa League encounter with Liverpool in a slightly different way to the night last season when they faced Tottenham Hotspur at Tynecastle.

Even Craig Levein, the Scotland manager, mentioned on Sportscene on Sunday night that Hearts had failed to put in a tackle against Spurs in the opening half an hour, at the end of which they were already three goals down.

Their then manager, Paulo Sergio, also railed against his players after what became a 5-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, describing them as being like “people who had bought a ticket for the match”.

Webster smiled when informed of Levein’s comments and made the observation that “sometimes it is easier said than done”. But he agreed with the point his Scotland manager was making.

Hearts can clearly not afford to stand on ceremony when Liverpool come to town on Thursday still smarting from a 3-0 opening day defeat to West Brom.

At the same time, they cannot be expected to seek to attack Liverpool at will, the way they might do against Scottish Premier League opposition.

“We need to take the experience we have had into the Liverpool game,” said Webster yesterday. “Spurs were a top-quality side and the tie was pretty much over before it was really started.

“I think we can draw on that experience and look forward to Thursday night. Like any top-
level opposition, if you give them time and space then they are going to cut you open.

“Hopefully, we can get a bit tighter to them,” he added. “I don’t think we stood off Spurs. It was difficult because if you press then, they then can pass round you. You can’t be gung-ho against this type of opposition or they will pick the passes that lead to them scoring goals.

“We have to approach it with caution but at the same time try to put a bit of pressure on them. It is a fine balancing act. Sometimes you can get away with it domestically, but with top players, one step in the wrong direction and before you know it, they are in and scoring a goal.

“That’s the difference and that is why Liverpool and the players they have play at the top level.”

Webster expected Brendan Rodgers’ side to mount a response to the defeat by West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Unlike Spurs, who opened their season with a 5-0 win over Hearts and then days later were heavily beaten by Manchester United themselves, Liverpool arrive at Tynecastle already in the mood to make amends.

Webster admitted he had not expected Liverpool to lose to the Baggies, and certainly not in the manner in which they did. However, he knows it will make them doubly determined to prove a point in Edinburgh.

“They will be looking for a reaction on Thursday night,” he said. “But whether they win 3-0 or lose 3-0, they’ve still got top, top players. Their squad is full of international footballers and any time you get beaten you are looking for a response and any time you win, you are looking to keep that momentum going.

“From their point of view, it will be a change of scenery and a change of competition.”

Hearts, too, are hoping for a reaction after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who came back from 2-0 down with ten men.

Marius Zaliukas, Webster’s centre-half partner, is a doubt for the first match against Liverpool after being taken off against
Inverness with a dead leg.

“Hopefully he will be back,” said Webster. “You want your best players out there and Marius is one of those. He’s the captain and leads by example. Hopefully he will be fit. Playing against £35 million worth of talent, you need to be on the ball.”

Taken from the Scotsman