Ludogorets Razgrad have sent a special message of thanks to Liverpool fans for the recognition they paid to the Bulgarian champions at Anfield on Tuesday night.

The Reds required a stoppage-time penalty from captain Steven Gerrard to ultimately overcome the visitors in their opening fixture of Champions League Group B - their first game in the competition since 2009.

Dani Abalo had stunned Brendan Rodgers' side by grabbing an equaliser to seemingly claim a point for Ludogorets in the closing seconds of the match, after Mario Balotelli had broken the deadlock with his first goal for the club.

Appreciative of the tenacious display they had witnessed by the travelling outfit, Kopites stayed behind after the final whistle to applaud both the players and supporters of the Bulgarians for their efforts throughout the encounter in L4.

A Liverpool spokesperson said: "Ludogorets officials have been in touch with Liverpool today to once again emphasise how impressed they were by the appreciation and respect they were shown by our fans last night.

"They were very humbled by the applause afforded to them by Liverpool supporters at the end of the game and were keen to make it known how grateful they were."