Liverpool kicked off their return to UEFA Champions League after beating Bulgaria’s Ludogorets 2-1 on Tuesday night.

It was far from plain sailing for the hosts at Anfield, as the Bulgarian champions proved worthy opponents in their first ever Champions League appearance.

For Liverpool, it was Balotelli who fired home his opener, changing the course of a previously frustrating game with an incredible goal in the 82nd minute. Balotelli juggled a cross from Moreno inside the box and smashed home a half-volley into the bottom corner, scoring his first Liverpool goal.

Ludogorets, however , equalised in the 90th minute, when a fine through ball from Hamza allowed Dani Abalo to round Simon Mignolet and slot the ball into the empty net.

It looked like Liverpool would be forced to settle for a draw when Steven Gerrard steered Liverpool to their opening Champions League victory from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute after Javi Manquillo was felled in the box by Ludogorets goalkeeper Milan Borjan.