Steven Gerrard has always been the man for the big occasions for Liverpool and last night was no different.
From the penalty spot in the 92nd minute, he calmly steered Liverpool to their opening Champion’s League victory against Ludogorets.
Visiting coach Georgi Dermendzhiev claimed his side deserved something out of the game and a lot would agree but that’s football for you.
Liverpool conceded a 90th minute equaliser and Javi Manquillo won the penalty 60 seconds later.
The hosts did not really threaten until the 20th minute, when Balotelli expertly turned on his maker only for his goalbound shot to be blocked, with Adam Lallana’s follow-up drawing a save from Borjan.
Ludogorets showed calmness on the ball for a side making their first ever appearance in the Champion’s league, had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Marcelinho went down under a push by Dejan Lovren.
Moments later, a corner found defender Cosmi Moti at the near post, but he failed to make clean contact with a header.
Liverpool had a tough time with a stubborn Ludogorets who made them work hard for their victory, it took the reds 81 minutes to find their opener where Mario Balotelli scored his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.
Moreno’s cross picked out the Italian and he controlled the ball and turned in a single movement before steering it into the net with the outside of his right foot.
Ludogorets bounced back swiftly, Younes Hamza’s through ball found his fellow substitute Abalo, whose first touch took him past Magnolet before his second found an empty net.
But just when the visiting fans were celebrating what looked certain to be a point, Borjan’s ill-judged lunge and Gerrard’s unerring strike gave the home supporters the win they were expecting.
