Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has rallied behind under-fire manager Brendan Rodgers following the Reds' midweek 2-2 draw with Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League.

Liverpool fell behind early on when Dani Abalo scored, before goals from Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson put the visitors in the lead, only for Georgi Terziev to then grab a late equaliser for Ludogorets.

Allen told Sky Sports News: "Brendan is handling it fine. He wouldn't be Liverpool manager if he couldn't handle it. He has the backing of all the players and he knows that.

"It was disappointing to concede a goal like that but the bigger picture is that our Champions League dream is still alive and still in our hands and that is a big bonus for us.

"There were improvements all round. The commitment was there for everyone to see. I thought we had more composure than we have had at times and certainly more self-belief and it is a step in the right direction."

Liverpool can now only qualify for the knockout stages of the competition with a victory over Basel at Anfield next month.