Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said that the side's performance against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League this evening was nothing better than "okay".
Gerrard's injury-time penalty ensured that the Reds took all three points in a 2-1 victory in their Group B opener after Dani Abalo's 90th-minute strike had seemingly handed the Bulgarian side a share of the spoils.
While the 34-year-old admits that there is "a lot to learn" on Liverpool's return to the competition following a five-year absence, he highlighted that they must improve for their next game against Basel in two weeks.
"We did okay, but it wasn't better than okay," he told BBC Sport shortly after netting the last-gasp winner.
"There's a lot to learn, we were caused problems on the counter-attack. If we win in Basel now it puts us in a good position, but we must do better."
Gerrard reserved special praise for Mario Balotelli, who netted his first Liverpool goal in the 82nd minute in front of the Kop to put his side ahead.
"You have to give Mario Balotelli credit. It didn't go his way for long periods, but the sign of a good goalscorer is to keep going and get a chance. What's more important is his work rate," he added.
The other game in Group B saw last season's winners Real Madrid thrash Basel 5-1 at home.
Kristian Johnson
