Match ends, Ludogorets Razgrad 2, Liverpool 2.
- Liverpool denied first win in five matches
- Reds will still reach the last 16 if they beat Basel
- Ludogorets eliminated despite earning a point
Liverpool conceded a late equaliser at Bulgarian champions Ludogorets - but are still just a win away from reaching the Champions League last 16.
The hosts led when Dani Abalo pounced on Reds keeper Simon Mignolet's error, but Rickie Lambert headed in his first Champions League goal to equalise.
Jordan Henderson steered Liverpool ahead at the far post, before Georgi Terziev headed in the equaliser.
Liverpool will still qualify if they beat Basel at Anfield next month.
Despite an unconvincing performance in Bulgaria, Brendan Rodgers's side remain in control of their European destiny after Basel were beaten 1-0 at reigning champions Real Madrid.
Basel's defeat means the Reds are two points behind the Swiss side and will join the Spanish giants in the knockout stage with a win in their final group match.
Liverpool had lost their previous four matches in all competitions and before kick-off Rodgers urged his players to kick-start their faltering season with a vital win.
But their performance in near-freezing conditions in Sofia will have done little to encourage the Anfield side that an upturn in their fortunes is on the way.
Teams already through to the last 16 | |
---|---|
Real Madrid | Barcelona |
Borussia Dortmund | Chelsea |
Bayern Munich | Porto |
Paris St-Germain | Shakhtar Donetsk |
Arsenal | Atletico Madrid |
Bayer Leverkusen |
The visitors appeared to lack the confidence to cut through the ponderous Ludogorets backline and were once again uncertain in defence when the home side poured forward.
Goalkeeper Mignolet has faced mounting criticism during Liverpool's recent slump, with Reds legend Bruce Grobbelaar claiming his performances are one of the main reasons Rodgers's side are struggling.
And the Belgium international opened himself up to more of the same when he gifted a third-minute opener to the home side.
Home midfielder Marcelinho's low 20-yard shot should have been easily gathered, but the Reds keeper spilled it into the path of striker Dani who bundled in.
But Lambert, who netted his first Reds goal in Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, levelled when he pounced on some flat-footed defending to steer into the bottom corner.
England forward Raheem Sterling had been lacking the sharpness of his early-season form in recent weeks, but looked back to his best as he orchestrated Liverpool's brightest attacking play and set up Henderson's goal with an incisive cross.
However, the youngster also missed a golden chance to put the game beyond the home side with 10 minutes left, steering straight at Ludogorets keeper Vladislav Stoyanov when clean through.
Liverpool's current lack of self-belief was clear to see in the closing stages, the visitors retreating nervously as the home side pressed.
But although Terziev's far-post header earned Ludogorets a deserved point, it does not alter Liverpool's task against Basel on 9 December.
Line-ups
Ludogorets
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Stoyanov
- 80Paula Junior
- 55Terziev
- 27Moti
- 25Minev
- 18Dyakov
- 8Gomes FonsecaSubstituted forYounesat 81'minutes
- 7AleksandrovSubstituted forCristaldo Fariasat 72'minutes
- 84Nascimento da Costa
- 93Misidjan
- 17Abalo PaulosSubstituted forAzevedo Juniorat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Barthe
- 11Azevedo Junior
- 12Andrianantenaina
- 15Aleksandrov
- 26Borjan
- 88Cristaldo Farias
- 99Younes
Liverpool
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 22Mignolet
- 19Manquillo
- 37Skrtel
- 4K Touré
- 2Johnson
- 21Leiva
- 24Allen
- 14Henderson
- 8Gerrard
- 31SterlingSubstituted forMorenoat 82'minutes
- 9Lambert
Substitutes
- 1Jones
- 6Lovren
- 10Coutinho
- 18Moreno
- 20Lallana
- 23Can
- 29Borini
- Referee:
- Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
- Attendance:
- 37,143
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home11
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away21
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ludogorets Razgrad 2, Liverpool 2.
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Foul by Svetoslav Dyakov (Ludogorets Razgrad).
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Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!
Goal! Ludogorets Razgrad 2, Liverpool 2. Georgi Terziev (Ludogorets Razgrad) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Svetoslav Dyakov with a headed pass following a corner.
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Corner, Ludogorets Razgrad. Conceded by Joe Allen.
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Corner, Ludogorets Razgrad. Conceded by Javier Manquillo.
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Foul by Wanderson (Ludogorets Razgrad).
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Glen Johnson (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Alberto Moreno replaces Raheem Sterling.
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Attempt missed. Juninho Quixadá (Ludogorets Razgrad) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Wanderson.
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Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Steven Gerrard with a through ball.
Substitution
Substitution, Ludogorets Razgrad. Hamza Younes replaces Fábio Espinho.
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Foul by Fábio Espinho (Ludogorets Razgrad).
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Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Henderson with a cross.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Junior Caiçara.
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Offside, Ludogorets Razgrad. Yordan Minev tries a through ball, but Virgil Misidjan is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Juninho Quixadá (Ludogorets Razgrad) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Svetoslav Dyakov.
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Corner, Ludogorets Razgrad. Conceded by Lucas Leiva.