Jamie Carragher believes it should not take Liverpool too long to flourish under Brendan Rodgers’ playing philosophy.

The Premier League outfit found it hard against Hearts in their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday evening, with John McGlynn’s men edging the majority of the first half. However, an Andy Webster own goal gave the visitors a vital first-leg victory 12 minutes from time.

The win saw the Merseysiders successfully bounce back after a 3-0 loss to West Brom on the first day of the new league season – their worst opening result for 75 years.

Carragher admitted that the Baggies defeat was a setback, but stressed that the players are looking to make the transition to a slick passing side under the new boss as smooth as possible.

“It doesn’t have to be a slow process,” he told ITV Sport. “Pre-season’s gone really well, obviously we’ve got a bit of a bump at West Brom.

“It was nice to come here, it was a difficult game, we’ve got the result now and now we look forward to Man City.

“It’s a massive game, and as I said, a new manager coming in, finding his feet if you like and we’re all getting used to each other.

“But it doesn’t have to be slow, we want it to be as quick as possible.”

The defender also applauded Hearts for their display, indicating the clash was just as tough as the Premier League’s biggest teams, while he also cited the fantastic atmosphere in Scotland.

“It was a very difficult game and sometimes these games are more difficult than when you play so-called big names,” he said.

“We knew they’d come out flying, it’s a very tight pitch – there wasn’t much space there for us to try and pass the ball – and that’s what we tried to do.

“And at times early on we got caught with it, because they created pressure.

“But the atmosphere was fantastic and great credit to Hearts.”

Raheem Sterling was a bright spark for Liverpool, particularly in the first half where he caused the Hearts back line continual problems with his pace. The 17-year-old winger also presented Fabio Borini with a brilliant chance to take the lead just before the break, but the Italian struck the post with his shot.

Carragher insists the teenager will be a top player at Anfield in the years to come, also stating that late substitute Adam Morgan is another one to watch from the club’s youth system.

He added: “This club’s got a great tradition of bringing young players through and we brought another one in there, Adam Morgan came through the academy and Raheem’s got a few starts now this season.

“I think the way the manager wants to play is with wide men so it suits him down to the ground.

“He’s come here, he’s done really well and I think he’s 17, 18, I’m not sure, but it looks like he’s got a big future at the club.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that a loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin is close to completion.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed his interest in bringing the former Borussia Dortmund man to north London last week and it had been reported that Sahin preferred a move to a Champions League club.

However, following his side’s 1-0 victory over Hearts on Thursday, Rodgers seemingly admitted that the Reds have trumped their Premier League rivals to his signature.

“Hopefully in the next 24 hours we’ll get some confirmation on that,” Rodgers told the club’s official website.

“It’s quite far [along the line]. He’s a very good footballer.”

The Turkish midfielder struggled to break into Jose Mourinho’s first-team plans last season, making just four league appearances in his first campaign in La Liga.

The Spanish side moved to secure his services following his contribution to Borussia Dortmund’s victorious 2010-11 Bundesliga campaign.

Liverpool bounced back from their opening day Premier League defeat with a narrow victory against Hearts in their Europa League play-off on Thursday evening.

The hosts went toe-to-toe with Brendan Rodgers’ side in a very bright first half in front of a buzzing Tynecastle crowd. Arvydas Novikovas went closest for the Scottish outfit as they put real pressure on the visitors, but some good work from Raheem Sterling saw Fabio Borini waste the best chance of the 45 when he hit the post despite being clear through on goal.

The second-half saw far less action than the first, with neither defence allowing the opposition to create clear chances. At times the Reds looked like they were on the verge of shifting up the gears. They failed to cause the hosts any major problems, but were granted a winner when Andy Webster put the ball in his own net.

John McGlynn started with John Sutton as a lone forward, with David Templeton supporting from midfield. Meanwhile, Arvydas Novikovas and Callum Paterson lined up on either flank.

Liverpool travelled to Tynecastle without the likes of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson, with Rodgers handing starts to youngsters Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing and 17-year-old Sterling.

There was no place for Andy Carroll in the first XI or the bench, but Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Borini were given chances to impress, with Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher also selected.

The Reds looked to pass the ball out from the back early on in the typical Rodgers style, but were sent a warning sign when a weak Carragher back-pass nearly gifted the hosts a dream start, with Reina forced to rush out of his area to clear.

Spurred on by the immense atmosphere created from the home supporters in Edinburgh, Novikovas fired a bullet towards the Reds’ goal from range after some brilliant work by Mehdi Taouil, which the Spanish keeper was forced to push wide.

Sutton was the next Hearts man to have shot at the visitors’ goal, as the ten minute mark passed, he turned swiftly to work a yard of space and get free of Carragher but his strike just swerved away from goal. Liverpool were firmly on the back foot, however.

Hearts’ ambition and positivity was highlighted by a corner after 16 minutes, Novikovas delivered the set-piece to the edge of the area where Darren Barr was waiting to attempt a first-time volley – the shot didn’t reach the goal but their confidence was evident. Then, David Templeton unleashed an effort with his left after a driving run down the flank, the ball travelling at pace across goal but off target.

Sterling was given his first real chance to show what he can do after 20 minutes, Spearing found the winger with a terrific ball out to the right, and he raced free on the flank before cutting in and riffling a shot at goal but saw his strike blocked. The youngster then caused more panic as he looked to run in behind the hosts’ defence, with Webster almost finding his own net as he was forced into putting the ball behind.

Borini then had a good chance to give Liverpool the lead with ten minutes left in the half, after a spell where neither side could find the right final ball. The former Roma loanee shipped the ball out wide to Henderson before carrying on his run. The midfielder then played a lovely pass over the top towards the Italian who just failed to make contact with his attempted volley as the ball came over his shoulder.

Five minutes later Hearts once again put their foot on the gas. Templeton smashed a volley just over from the edge of the area, before the home side had a penalty appeal, correctly, turned down after they claimed handball against Carragher.

Down the other end, however, Liverpool should have taken the lead just before the break. Sterling’s quick thinking led him to intercept at attempted cross-field ball by Taouil. Bringing it down with instant control, the 17-year-old galloped clear before laying the ball across to Borini, who slotted the ball past the outrushing keeper but against the post.

The tempo dropped after half-time with both sides struggling to find any rhythm. It was Sterling who was first to threaten. After playing a one-two with Adam the winger dashed into the Hearts’ box before being brought down and appealing for a penalty, but nothing was given. Moments later, the Scottish side’s own 17-year-old Paterson lashed a volley wide at the other end.

As the half went on both sides failed to create any major talking points. The Reds made their mark on possession and looked to slightly dominate with the ball, but could find no way through the Hearts’ back line.

Liverpool did eventually get the breakthrough with just over ten minutes remaining. Kelly got forward well from his right-back position and fired in a dangerous low cross which, under pressure from Borini, Webster put into his own goal.

Hearts weren’t done yet though. Firstly Driver’s shot on the turn looked dangerous but ended up with a routine save for Reina, and then Paterson forced the Spaniard into a very good low save as his right-footed strike looked destined for the far corner, the keeper just tipping it wide to ensure his side claimed victory.