Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was happy to give Raheem Sterling his chance in victory at Europa League opponents Hearts.

The game gave the manager a chance to hand Sterling a place in the starting line-up as well as experiment with Stewart Downing in the full-back role.

"It was great for me to see some of the players who haven't been playing as much and some of the young talents as well," said the boss. "It gave us a chance to experiment with Downing in the left back position for half an hour or so.

"We had another clean sheet as well which was important. I thought we arrived in some dangerous areas tonight but we didn't get that crucial touch in the final third.

"It was a tough game, Hearts are an excellent side. And they started the season well. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was good to get a win in a European game and now we hope to finish it in the second leg."