'Reds lacked rhythm'
Wednesday 17 September 2014 12:51, UK
Liverpool may have underestimated Ludogorets but getting three points was all that mattered, says Dietmar Hamann.
The Reds, playing their first Champions League game for five years, were tipped to sweep aside their Bulgarian opponents, but needed a last-gasp Steven Gerrard penalty to finally see off their visitors 2-1.
Abalo Paulos looked to have earned a point for battling Ludogorets with his injury-time strike, following Mario Balotelli’s 82nd minute opener, and Brendan Rodgers' below-par men seemed set to pass up a golden opportunity to boost their Group B qualification hopes.
There was no fluidity, no rhythm to Liverpool's game and maybe a little bit of nerves.
However, debutant goalkeeper Milan Borjan fouled Javier Manquillo in the second minute of added time to hand the hosts hope from the spot and Gerrard found the corner from 12 yards to give the Anfield outfit a winning start to this season’s edition of Europe’s elite club competition.
"It wasn’t a great performance but it was a good start," Hamann told Sky Sports, after watching his former side move level with Real Madrid at the top of the table, following the holders’ win over Basel.
"They didn’t play well and they maybe underestimated Ludogorets a little bit because they found it hard for the 90 minutes. They never really controlled it and never had a spell where they pressured the Ludogorets goal where you thought they were going to breakthrough.
"There was no fluidity, no rhythm to their game and maybe a little bit of nerves. A lot of these players wouldn’t have played in the Champions League before but they know they’ve got to win the game.
"When Balotelli scored he got a bit lucky to get the ball into his feet, although it was a great finish in the end, and they got a bit lucky with the penalty in the last minute, but it’s a good start."
Paul Merson agreed Liverpool were fortunate to take three points from their opener and says they must improve significantly if they are to match Group B favourites Real, who won 5-1 against their Swiss opponents.
"Liverpool dodged a bullet," he said. "There’s no question about that because if you’re not beating Ludogorets at home you’re not qualifying.
"They will raise their game when they play Real Madrid but they’ll have to. They needed to win that game – no matter how – because they haven’t been in Europe for a long time and three points is what counts."
