Liverpool's Euro hopes still alive despite draw

Liverpool's Champions League hopes are still alive despite conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Ludogorets.

The Reds had lost four games on the spin heading to Bulgaria and looked in big trouble when a Simon Mignolet clanger gifted Dani Abalo a tap-in after just three minutes.

The travelling support would have feared the worst at that point but were soon breathing a huge sigh of relief when Rickie Lambert headed home his own flick-on after some woefully hesitant defending by the hosts.

Brendan Rodgers' side endured more nervy moments soon after with Mignolet almost caught out again from a right-wing free kick while Kolo Toure came close to putting through his own net. It was a real test of character for Liverpool but they dug in and stole in front eight minutes before the interval when the returning Jordan Henderson steered in at the far post after a delightful run and cross from Raheem Sterling.

The teenage England winger was the away side's greatest threat but blew a chance to seal victory late on - and it proved costly as Georgi Terziev's header two minutes from time rescued a point for the minnows.

The result means Liverpool just need to beat Basel at Anfield on matchday six to join Real Madrid in the knockout stages after the Spanish giants won 1-0 in Switzerland.

PRE-MATCH - Lucas and Toure start: Liverpool are taking a more cautious approach tonight which, given the stakes, is perhaps not a huge surprise. Lucas Leiva comes in to add some bite to the midfield while Kolo Toure, who impressed away to Real Madrid recently, replaces the struggling Dejan Lovren in the back four. Jordan Henderson also returns after his illness-related absence at Crystal Palace. Ludogorets will deploy midfielder Dani Abalo as a lone frontman in the absence of the injured Roman Bezjak (hernia). Yordan Minev is back for the hosts after he served a one-game ban on matchday four.

3' - GOAL!Ludogorets 1-0 Liverpool. The hosts lead! It's a disastrous mistake by Mignolet as he can only parry a bouncing shot from distance by Marcelinho straight to Dani Abalo, who gleefully sweeps into the net.

8' -GOAL!Ludogorets 1-1 Liverpool. What a gift!! Lambert nods in off the post after taking advantage of some woeful defending to put away his own flick on. One CL start, one goal for the ex-Southampton man.

20' - LUDOGORETS CHANCE! A great run and cross from the right sees Toure take a wild stab at the ball at the near post which just bobbles wide! Very nearly an own goal!

37' - GOAL!Ludogorets 1-2 Liverpool. Sterling finds space on the left and delivers a lovely pass to the far post for Henderson who arrives on cue to fire home on the stretch.

64' - WHAT A MISS! Henderson blazes over the bar from close range - but the referee had already blown for a free kick. Relief for Hendo after Lambert's header from Sterling's clipped cross had dropped to him five yards out!

82' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Sterling breaks the offside trap but sees his low attempt well smothered by the keeper after a clever pass from Gerrard set him free.

88' - GOAL! Ludogorets 2-2 Liverpool. It's 2-2! Liverpool have been pegged back as the corner is flicked on and nodded home by Terziev! More defensive woes for the Reds.

This is only the second time Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in their last 11 games in the Champions League

Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 Champions League matches.

Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in their 19 games in all competitions this season.

Henderson's goal was Liverpool's 200th in European football as the away team - excluding games played at neutral venues.

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Can Liverpool solve their defensive woes to qualify? The draw doesn't affect the matchday six scenario for the Reds; win at home to Basel and they are through. But can that leaky defence keep the Swiss at bay to give them a chance? There is much talk of positives after ending a four-match losing streak, but at the end of the day it's a draw against Bulgarian minnows. Rodgers still has much to ponder to truly turn around the Merseysiders' fortunes.

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool): Improved as the game wore on and was a real menace with some lightning-quick dribbles. Helped himself to a lovely assist and almost got on the scoresheet in the latter stages.

Ludogorets: Stoyanov 6, Minev 7, Moti 6, Terziev 7, Caicara 6, Alexandrov 6, Espinho 6, Abalo 7, Dyakov 6, Marcelinho 7, Misidjan 6. Subs: Wanderson 6, Quixada 6, Hamza n/a.

Liverpool: Mignolet 4, Manquillo 6, Skrtel 5, Toure 5, Johnson 6, Lucas 6, Allen 5, Henderson 7, Gerrard 5, Sterling 7, Lambert 7. Sub: Moreno n/a.