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.