Champions League ratings: Liverpool were denied by a late Ludogorets goal…
Champions League ratings: Ludogorets 2-2 Liverpool – The Reds Champions League hopes are still very much in the balance after being held to a draw in Bulgaria.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were 1-0 down inside two minutes after Dani Abalo pounced on a Simon Mignolet mistake. Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson had the Reds in front before half-time, but it was Ludogorets who had the final say.
George Terziev headed home in the closing stages, and we must now beat Basel at Anfield in two weeks time in order to progress to the Last 16. Read tonight’s ratings below:
GK) Simon Mignolet – 4
Made the mistake for the first goal and did little to prevent the second – a poor night for the Belgian.
RB) Javi Manquillo – 6
Showed commitment and got forward when he could, but his inexperience at this level still shows at times.
LB) Glen Johnson – 4
Caught out on more than one occasion as Ludogorets enjoyed plenty of success down Liverpool’s left.
CB) Kolo Toure – 5
Several poor touches, including one that led to the first goal. What happened to the Toure that played Madrid?
CB) Martin Skrtel – 6
Put in a better performance than he did against Palace, but that wasn’t hard to do.
DM) Lucas Leiva – 6
Looked decent playing in front of the back four, and could be utilised more based on this performance.
CM) Joe Allen – 5
Kept Liverpool ticking over in midfield, but offered little going forward. Needs to do more.
CM) Steven Gerrard – 7
Looked decent in a more advanced role, but started to run out of steam as the game wore on.
AM) Jordan Henderson – 7
Scored Liverpool’s second goal from close range and created several other chances in a decent showing.
AM) Raheem Sterling – 8
Liverpool’s best player – caused constant problems, and presented Henderson with his goal on a plate.
ST) Rickie Lambert – 7
Got his name on the score-sheet for a second week in succession, and did a good job of leading the line.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers – 6
Cut a frustrated figure in the second-half, and will be horribly frustrated with Liverpool’s late capitulation.
Subs:
1) Alberto Moreno – 5 – Brought on to shore things up on Liverpool’s left hand side, but struggled to make a difference.