Liverpool successfully returned to a UEFA Champions League match with a win against debutants Ludogorets. The Reds gave fans a little drama, scoring a penalty kick in the final seconds of the game.
Liverpool did not have an easy match against the Bulgarian side, not being able to score any goals in the first 45 minutes. Fans were starting to get nervous when finally, after 80 minutes, Mario Balotelli scored his first goal as a Red, making fans go wild in the stands. When everyone was counting seconds to celebrate the first win of the season, Dani Abalo silenced Anfield Road with a late goal, giving the debutants hope to earn their first ever point in the European competition. During stoppage time, Ludogorets' keeper Milan Borjan gave away a late penalty, making Steven Gerrard the hero of the day after converting the go ahead goal.
Fans reacted to Liverpool's dramatic return to the UEFA Champions League. Check them out!
I said it before and I'll say it again, Liverpool are going to kill me one day. Heart-attack, last ditch defending all the time.
— Nate Guildea (@NateGuildea) September 16, 2014
Nearly died this evening.. thanks Liverpool..
— Vaannn #54 (@vndnaaa) September 16, 2014
This is what his first goal for Liverpool meant to Balo.... pic.twitter.com/RN016z2A8N
— MostarLFC (@MostarLFC) September 16, 2014
LIV 2-1 LUD (FT) - Liverpool is the 2nd club in the last 7 years to win a UCL match thanks to a penalty in added time (Inter, in 2012)
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) September 16, 2014
Liverpool fans right now... http://t.co/4XECNjW6Yx
— Football Live Scores (@F00tyHighlights) September 16, 2014
Penalty to liverpool The sky is blue The grass is green Water is wet
— patrick hogan (@HoganMUFC94) September 16, 2014
Did you really not see a 93rd minute Liverpool penalty coming? Oh, you poor fools. You poor, naive fools.
— Old Eto'onians (@ViewFromGwladys) September 16, 2014
Steven Gerrard's game by numbers: 100% tackles won 100% aerial duels won 93% pass accuracy 2 chances created 1 goal. pic.twitter.com/3aHUzfCsJG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 16, 2014
Steven Gerrard on @FinallyMario "The sign of a good goalscorer is to keep going and to take a chance when it comes." pic.twitter.com/8dPU1GZZkp
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 16, 2014
Steven 'honest' Gerrard: "Truth is, we must do better."
— smtmLFC (@smtmLFC) September 16, 2014