Liverpool: Steven Gerrard scored a 93rd-minute penalty as Liverpool scraped past competition debutants Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 on their return to the Champions League after a five-year absence on Tuesday. After labouring to break the Bulgarian champions down, Liverpool took an 82nd-minute lead through Mario Balotelli, only for visiting substitute Dani Abalo to equalise in the first minute of stoppage time.


Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (C) celebrates scoring a penalty during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Liverpool and Ludogorets Razgrad at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool. Pic/AFP 

But with Ludogorets on the brink of a memorable shock result, their goalkeeper Milan Borjan -- who only joined the club on Sunday -- felled Javi Manquillo and Gerrard gave the hosts victory from the spot. It was a cruel finale for Georgi Dermendzhiev's side, who must now rouse themselves for the challenge of hosting defending champions Real Madrid in their next Group B game on October 1.