London:
Bulgarian champions Ludogorets fired a late equaliser against Liverpool to deny them a chance for victory and keep Brendan Rodgers’ side a win away from reaching the Champions League last 16.
Ludogorets led with just three minutes into the game when Dani Abalo pounced on Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet’s error, but Rickie Lambert headed in his first Champions League goal to equalise five minutes later.
Jordan Henderson then steered Liverpool ahead at the far post before halftime, but the tourists were denied victory as Georgi Terziev headed in the equaliser just two minutes before game, The BBC reported.
Liverpool would still qualify if they beat Basel at Anfield next month.
Despite an unconvincing performance in Bulgaria, Rodgers’ side remain in control of their European destiny after Basel were beaten 1-0 at reigning champions Real Madrid.
Basel’s defeat means Liverpool is two points behind the Swiss side and would 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 would have done little to encourage the Anfield side that an upturn in their fortunes is on the way.
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, who has faced mounting criticism during Liverpool’s recent slump, 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 Liverpool’s keeper spilled it into the path of striker Dani who bundled in.
But Lambert, who netted his first Liverpool 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.
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, the report added.
