Liverpool continued their recent run of poor form as they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 against Ludogorets Razgrad in their Champions League clash this evening.
© Getty Images
The Reds got off to the worst possible start in the match as Kolo Toure's clearance fell into the path of Marcelinho, who fired a dipping strike at goal, which wasn't held by Simon Mignolet and Dani Abalo was on hand to power in the rebound.
© Getty Images
Liverpool got back into the match almost immediately when Rickie Lambert capitalised on confusion between Razgrad defender Cosmin Moti and keeper Vladislav Stoyanov as the England international guided a header into the top corner.
Brendan Rodgers's side almost committed another catastrophic error when Mihail Aleksandrov was allowed to press into the final third, and his low cross was threatening which forced Toure into the action, and he almost diverted the ball into his own when clearing the ball behind.
Raheem Sterling pushed Liverpool forward in attack when he beat a couple of challenges to raid into the final third. However, the winger opted to shoot at goal from distance, and his effort went harmlessly over the bar.
However, Sterling did show composure minutes later when he capitalised on a mistake from the home side and sprinted down the left. He then crossed into the middle for Jordan Henderson to fire the Reds into the lead.
© Getty Images
After the break, the home side pushed forward and Virgil Misidjan tried to take advantage of the poor conditions in front of Mignolet, but his shot went inches past the post.
Razgrad had an excellent chance to threaten when Henderson brought down Misidjan on the edge of the box. Fabio Espinho took the free kick, and although he lifted his effort over the wall, it was too high to trouble Mignolet.
The home side pressed again when they worked the ball well in the final third of the pitch before the ball came to Juninho Quixada, but his shot went just past the post with Mignolet scrambling across his goal.
Liverpool should have put the game beyond doubt as Steven Gerrard released the run of Sterling to leave the winger one on one with Stoyanov, but the keeper read the England international and was able to smother his effort.
The Reds were to rue that missed opportunity as they conceded a late goal when Ludogorets levelled through Georgi Terziev, as he latched on to a loose ball in the penalty area and fired past Mignolet after the visitors had failed to clear their lines.
Simon Sinclair
