Liverpool v Hearts: Recalling when Hearts ruled Anfield for 203 seconds

A look back at them Europa League play-off tie at Anfield in 2012

“What a massive maroon moment at Anfield,” boomed a passionate, albeit slightly astonished, Derek Rae, commentating for ESPN on August 30, 2012.

David Templeton had jinked away from Raheem Sterling, eased past Joe Allen and seen his shot palmed into the net by Pepe Reina, the Spanish goalkeeper with the appearance of a stiff grandparent trying to catch an unruly but elusive grandchild.

What happened next will live long in the memory of the Hearts fans at Anfield that night. It wasn’t so much a sea of bodies as a tsunami of rapture.

David Templeton celebrates his goal against Liverpool. Picture: SNS

As the Hearts players made their way to the travelling support to celebrate, maroon and white shapes went this way and that, like the most captivating and biggest of disco balls. Supporters lost their minds, they lost their seats and a few most certainly lost some valuables. But that is the carefree emotion, the unimaginable feeling, of taking the lead against European giants and bringing the tie level.

Zaliukas v Gerrard

Rewind 100 or so minutes. Marius Zaliukas, Jamie MacDonald and Ryan McGowan were standing in the tunnel opposite Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel. Further back was Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson.

Brendan Rodgers had named a stronger line-up than the one which had claimed a 1-0 victory at Tynecastle to put the Premier League side in a commanding position in this Europa League play-off tie.

Hearts fans went bonkers when the team went ahead against Liverpool. Picture: SNS

Throughout the two legs Hearts more than held in their own and looked confident in possession at Anfield. However, it was the home side who understandably looked more threatening with Suarez on alert.

Twice the Uruguayan had an effort cleared off the line, while Liverpool also had a goal ruled out after the striker had carried the ball off the field.

Hearts’ best opportunities arrived largely from long-range shots. And, of course, that’s how Templeton’s goal arrived.

“I still say it was an own goal but somehow I managed to get it,” Templeton recalled. “It was amazing. Especially because it was like the 80th odd minute.

“We never expected to be 0-0 at that time or even have a sniff of taking it to extra-time because they had Gerrard, Suarez, Sterling playing – they had a good team out. So to score and then seeing the Hearts fans, it was unbelievable.”

Dream ends but party continues

For 203 seconds the visiting support were bathed in delirium and disbelief, able to dream about creating a titanic upset. Some no doubt lost all sense of what was going on on the pitch. Twice Hearts veered forward during those three minutes and 23 seconds. The second occasion saw Liverpool break.

Suarez was fed just inside the Hearts half. Webster slipped as the striker turned. Zaliukas attempted to usher him towards the byline as if he was helping a swan cross the road, trying not to get too close. But then he struck. An acute angle, Suarez snuck his shot past Zaliukas and inside MacDonald’s post.

The dream was over, but for the Hearts fans the party continued. They had taken the lead at Anfield and drawn with Liverpool.