Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has hailed his side as they got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad.

The Reds struggled for the majority of the match but finally found a breakthrough when Mario Balotelli fired them ahead in the 80th minute, only to see the visitors equalise through Dani Abalo.

However, Rodgers's side were awarded a penalty in stoppage time that was scored by Steven Gerrard to ensure that his side earned the three points at Anfield.

Rodgers told reporters: "It was a great night for everyone at the club after five years. To get the result was excellent, they showed great character to keep going. It was a penalty, you could see it in their reaction.

"It was a wonderful finish from Mario Balotelli. We told him to get in the penalty area more often, it was a world-class finish. We had signs of anxiety, we are not at the level we were at last year yet, that will come with time."

Liverpool face Basel in their second Group B game on October 1.