Late drama as Gerrard gets Liverpool up and running

Champions League Group B

It was almost just like the old days as Steven Gerrard scored an added-time winner to get Liverpool’s Champions League return off to a winning start at Anfield last night. The Reds captain, so influential on European nights of the past, stroked home a late spot-kick to give his team a 2-1 win over spirited Ludogorets.

It usually takes something special to upstage Mario Balotelli, who scored the first goal for the club since his £16m summer transfer from AC Milan, but the Bulgarian minnows almost achieved it when substitute Dani Abalo rolled in a 90th-minute equaliser.

However, when Javier Manquillo was brought down by goalkeeper Milan Borjan, only signed at the weekend because of suspension and injury to Ludogorets’ first two choices, Gerrard assumed the role for which he has become synonymous.

Captain Gerrard conceded afterwards that Liverpool have a lot to learn. “Looking at the game as a whole, we did okay. We didn’t do better than okay. We have got) a lot to learn. I thought they caused us quite a few problems on the counter-attack, just like Aston Villa at the weekend, so there’s a lot for myself and the lads to learn.”

He added: “I think taking maximum points, we go away to Basle now, if we can get another maximum points it puts us in a very good position but the key tonight was always going to be three points before the performance.

“But at Liverpool we always analyse how we’ve done and to judge that performance is, ’must do better’.”

The five-time winners of Europe’s elite club competition had waited five years to be back in the big time but it seemed the fanfare which greeted its arrival at Anfield would be silenced by the visitors. It seemed, with impeccable timing, Balotelli had chosen the perfect moment to open his account eight minutes from time but there was greater drama to follow.

And while it was not the most convincing of wins it got the Reds off and running, particularly important considering Real Madrid’s comfortable win over Basel in the other game in Group B.

Alberto Moreno, a Europa League winner with Sevilla last season, provided Liverpool’s best outlet in the first half with a number of trademark charges down the left flank but he struggled to deliver the killer cross on a number of occasions and blazed another goal attempt well over.

Balotelli produced a slick turn to beat Cosmin Moti but his shot blocked by Aleksandar Aleksandrov and Lallana’s follow-up rebounded off goalkeeper Milan Borjan.

The best move of the half saw Philippe Coutinho, Sterling and Henderson combine to tee up Lallana but his goalbound strike was blocked by Svetoslav Dyakov and Dejan Lovren headed over the resulting corner.

Attacking The Kop in the second-half the tempo quickened with Manquillo volleying over before Junior Caicara almost surprised Mignolet with a low, long-range effort which the goalkeeper batted away.

Balotelli hooked Manquillo’s cross into the bank of expectant supporters behind the goal but Roman Bezjak almost capitalised on a sleeping Gerrard at a quickly-taken throw-in to blaze over, although his next effort almost silenced Anfield with a shot which beat Mignolet but rebounded off the far post.

Liverpool’s chances were not as close with substitute Fabio Borini’s header tipped over by Borjan and Henderson nodding wide. When the ball was fed in to Balotelli he squeezed between two defenders, turned and poked home from close range only for Abalo to get in behind Lovren, round Mignolet and slide home.

But if any club know the value of not giving up in the Champions League it is Liverpool and when Manquillo was brought down by Borjan after he miscontrolled a backpass the stage was set for Gerrard – and he duly delivered.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana (Borini 68), Coutinho (Lucas 68), Sterling, Balotelli.

LUDOGORETS: Borjan, Junior Caicara, Moti, Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Minev, Mihail Aleksandrov, Dyakov (Fabio Espinho 84), Abel, Misidjan (Dani Abalo 73), Marcelinho, Bezjak (Younes 86).

Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia).