Captain Steven Gerrard converted a penalty in stoppage time to hand Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Ludogorets in the opening round of Champions League group matches tonight.

Mario Balotelli found the net for the first time since he joined the Reds last month late on, but his effort was cancelled out in the 90th minute by visiting substitute Dani Abalo.

However, when the chance presented itself to Gerrard in the 93rd minute, the skipper kept his cool to secure the win.

Here, Sports Mole has looked back over the performance of each of the players that were involved at Anfield.

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Goal

Simon Mignolet: He commanded his box well, but the Belgian was at fault for the Ludogorets goal. It's mistakes like that explain why his manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to be keen on signing free agent Victor Valdes. (6/10)

Defence

Javier Manquillo: The right-back was a threat in an attacking sense, so much so that it was he that won the penalty deep into stoppage time. He does look a little raw, but possesses plenty of potential. (7/10)

Mamadou Sakho: There is something about the France international that seems to cause panic. He didn't look comfortable in possession of the ball tonight and there were occasions when he misplaced passes in dangerous areas. (6/10)

Dejan Lovren: He had a couple of headed chances that he will feel he should have done better with, but in terms of his defensive display, he was steady enough and carried out his duties well. (7/10)

Alberto Moreno: Like his compatriot Manquillo on the opposite side, Moreno posed a real threat down left. His crossing was wasteful at times, but he can pleased with his work. (7/10)

Midfield

Steven Gerrard: The skipper may have scored the winning goal, but he looked a yard too slow on occasions tonight. It seemed that he was a target of the Ludogorets players, who would swarm around him whenever he got the ball. (6/10)

Jordan Henderson: You know what you are going to get from Henderson - an honest display full of endeavour. The midfielder also showed some good vision when he played through a great pass for Manquillo, but the full-back spurned the chance. (7/10)

Philippe Coutinho: The Brazilian was not at the races again today, so much so that he was substituted. His passing, which can be his best attribute, in particular was disappointing. (5/10)

Adam Lallana: It seems that the England international is still getting up to match fitness following the injury that he suffered in pre-season. His touch was off on occasions, but it's more minutes under his belt, which will be important. (6/10)

Raheem Sterling: With Daniel Sturridge injured, Sterling was the only real genuine pace that Liverpool had in the final third. He was by no means at his best, but there was the odd occasion where he had the visiting defenders worried. (6/10)

Attack

Mario Balotelli: He will be relieved to have got off the mark for Liverpool with what was a well-taken goal after failing to score with a couple of earlier chances. Perhaps his movement needs to improve to fit in with the system, but there were positives. (7/10)

Substitutes

Fabio Borini: The striker replaced Lallana and instantly had a headed chance, but he sent his effort straight at the goalkeeper. Aside from that, he was largely quiet. (6/10)

Lucas: He is never going to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but Lucas does win some important challenges, which he did tonight. (6/10)

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Goal

Milan Borjan: There is every chance that the Canadian will be beating himself up all night. He'd done so well throughout the game and then a moment of madness saw him bring down Manquillo for the penalty, which cost his team dearly. (5/10)

Defence

Junior Caicara: Full-backs are asked to get forward in today's game and the Brazilian took on that responsibility without hesitation. He had one fierce shot in the second half that forced Mignolet into action. (7/10)

Cosmin Moti: The hero of the qualifiers, Moti showed that he is a no-nonsense defender tonight. Having said that, he will be disappointed to have lost out to Balotelli for the first goal. (6/10)

Aleksandar Aleksandrov: His booking aside, it was a decent showing from the centre-back. His sliding challenge to deny Balotelli in the first half was a particular highlight. (7/10)

Yordan Minev: It was a similar performance to the one put in by his teammate Caicara in that he wasn't afraid to get forward, while also possessing the stamina to get back and carry out his defensive duties. (7/10)

Midfield

Mihail Aleksandrov: The winger was one of his side's quieter performers. He did put in a good shift, though, and didn't stop running all game. (6/10)

Svetoslav Dyakov: It was a battling display from the captain in the centre of the pitch and he looked truly shattered when he was replaced in the closing stages of the clash. (6/10)

Abel: Like his fellow midfielders, it was an energetic showing from Abel. He snapped at the heels of the likes of Gerrard and Henderson, which didn't allow them to settle in possession. (6/10)

Virgil Misidjan: The former Netherlands youth international was neat and tidy in possession, but he wasn't overly effective, which meant it came as little surprise when he was substituted. (5/10)

Attack

Marcelinho: The Brazilian was the best player on the pitch. Lively, pacey and creative, Liverpool found it hard to contend with the 30-year-old, who was unlucky not to win a penalty in the first half. (8/10)

Roman Bezjak: A tireless performance from the striker, but he spurned a really good chance when he hit the post just before Balotelli broke the deadlock. (6/10)

Substitutes

Dani Abalo: The Spaniard showed a nice touch when he came off the bench and then fantastic composure when he rounded Mignolet to score the equalising goal. (7/10)

Hamza Younes: With four minutes remaining, there was not really enough time for the striker to make much of an impact. (6/10)

Gomes Fonseca: Similar to Younes in that there was not enough time left for him to stamp a mark on proceedings. (6/10)