• Liverpool 2-1 Ludogorets Razgrad, Champions Leage

Gerrard warns Liverpool: We've got a lot to learn

Steven Gerrard converted a stoppage-time penalty to give Liverpool a dramatic win over Ludogorets © PA Photos

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Penalty hero Steven Gerrard says Liverpool "have got a lot to learn" from their return to the Champions League after a dramatic late victory over Bulgarian newcomers Ludogorets.

Gerrard held his nerve to convert a 92nd-minute penalty just moments after Ludogorets had equalised through Dani Abalo. Mario Balotelli looked as though he would be the hero when he scored with eight minutes remaining, his first goal for Liverpool coming in front of a delirious Kop.

However, Gerrard was far from impressed with the team's overall performance, despite escaping with all three points from their opening match in Group B.

"It's always nice to win the game when you think you're going to drop two points and you get a decision like that at the end," said Gerrard to ITV. "It was the right decision, but on the game as a whole we did ok - we didn't do any better than ok.

"We've got a lot to learn. I thought they caused us quite a few problems, just like Aston Villa did, on the counter-attack, so me and the lads have got a lot to learn."

Gerrard praised Balotelli for his persistence on a night that looked certain to end in frustration for the Italian striker and his new club.

"You've got to give him credit - he's come in and everyone's waiting for him to get that first goal," said Gerrard. "It never went his way for long periods tonight but the sign of a good goalscorer is to be relentless, keep going, keep going to the end because it only takes one chance.

"When you've got that ability, it only takes one chance. But I think more important than the goal was his work-rate. I think all the fans and me and the team were waiting to see how he'd fit in and I thought he worked his socks off. That will do for me.

"We go away to Basel now and if we get maximum points then it puts us in a very good position. At Liverpool, we always analyse what we've done and I think to judge that performance [tonight] is 'must do better'."

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