Match Report Liverpool vs Ludogorets Razgard

Match Report - Liverpool vs Ludogorets Razgard

LIVERPOOL (4-1-4-1): Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Gerrard; Lallana
(Borini 69), Henderson, Coutinho (Lucas 69), Sterling; Balotelli.

Subs: Jones, Enrique, Toure, Lambert, Suso.

LUDOGORETS (4-2-3-1): Borjan; Junior
Caicara, Moti, Aleksandrov, Minev; Dyakov (Fabio Espinho 85),Abel; M
Aleksandrov, Marcelinho, Misidjan; Bezjak (Hamza 86).

Subs: Gospodinov, Angulo, Dani
Abalo, Zlatinski, Wanderson.

Liverpool marked their return to European football with a nervy and scrappy win over supposed group minnows in Ludogorets. A late Steven Gerrard penalty saved five time European champions the blushes of losing to a club which was playing amateur football in 2004.

The match started brightly for the home side as they played good in patches. There was some smart play by the visitors to prevent this from being a one way traffic. The moments of note were few and far in the first half. Apart from the Mario Balotelli shot in 21st minute, the first half was drab.

In second half, the game opened up a bit as both the sides became a bit more adventurous. Javi Manquillo missed a sitter in 53rd minute in process undoing Jordan Henderson's good work. Ludogorets via Junior Caicara missed a good opportunity to lead. It was below par defending from Dejan Lovern. The visitors again came close to lead in 72nd minute as Mahmadou Sakho gave away possession in their own half to Marcelinho who nutmegged the Frenchman to release Bezjak who hit the post and his strike partner Yordan Minev missed target on rebound.

Finally, Mario Balotelli scored for the Liverpool in 82nd minute and sent the Kop in frenzy. He slotted home Alberto Moreno's cross. The same combination almost scored couple of minutes later but Ludogorets defense stood their ground this time. Ludogorets equalised through substitute Abalo as he was fed by fellow substitute Hamza, who capitalized on a mistake by Raheem Sterling.

But the game wasn't done as Borjan fouled Manquillo in dying seconds to gift Liverpool a penalty. Captain Steven Gerrard stepped up and converted the spot kick. This was his 40th European goal.

Liverpool travel to Switzerland to face FC Basel next week before hosting defending champions Real Madrid at Anfield.