Rodgers: Now we can control our own fate
Brendan Rodgers was frustrated that Liverpool could not hold onto all three points in a 2-2 draw at Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday night, but took solace from the fact that Champions League progress is now in his side's own hands.
The Reds were on course for a victory in Sofia with two minutes remaining on the clock, having recovered from an early Dani Abalo opener courtesy of strikes by Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson before the interval.
But when a corner from the right was flicked on into their penalty box mere seconds before the full-time whistle, Georgi Terziev was afforded the freedom to direct a header beyond the cluster of bodies and level the contest.
The confirmed scoreline from the other Group B encounter on the evening - a 1-0 win for Real Madrid at FC Basel - has set up a grandstand finish in the section, with qualification guaranteed for Rodgers' side if they defeat the Swiss outfit at Anfield on December 9.
"We needed to come here and put on a performance that was going to allow us to have encouragement going forward, and also a result that would allow us to be in with a chance of qualification from the group - we have got both of them," the manager reflected.
"The reaction to going behind early on was fantastic - you saw the real character of the team. To go a goal behind against a team that has done very well here in this competition, then show the spirit and quality of our goals to come back was exceptional.
"Of course we're frustrated at the end because we had defended very well and at 2-1, it could have been three or four. But we have come away with a point, while Real Madrid beat Basel.
"At the beginning of the competition, we said that it would probably come down to the last game and to have the last game at Anfield to win and qualify, I'll take that.
"All you can ever ask for is your fate in your own hands, and that was the key thing for us - to try to make that swing so that it is down to us. I'm happy to rely on us to play at Anfield in front of the supporters for the last qualification game. I'll really look forward to that."
Assessing the clash at the Vasil Levski Stadium, he continued: "Ludogorets didn't surprise me - they have shown in this competition so far, especially at home, that they are a very good team.
"They are very good technically and have speed in the team. They had already beaten Basel here and just lost closely to Real Madrid. So their performance didn't surprise me.
"The first goal was a disappointment for the team because we aimed to make a solid start in the game and to go a goal behind so early on is very frustrating.
"The pitch was difficult for both the outfield players and the goalkeepers. It was very bobbly, especially around the 18-yard boxes. But the players showed great character to come back and not let it affect them."
Pre-match team news revealed three changes by Rodgers from the side that was overturned so disappointingly by Crystal Palace at the weekend, with Henderson, Lucas Leiva and Kolo Toure brought into the XI.
And, as the chosen line-up suggested, captain Steven Gerrard was deployed in a more attacking role, supporting Lambert and Raheem Sterling further forward.
The boss explained: "I felt we needed more of a solid structure to the team. We played with two controlling players whose job was to not get ahead of the ball, but to control the game from behind and stay close together - both defensively and offensively.
"Both are good passers of the ball and players that can defend, get up to the ball and intercept. Then we had Steven in front of that in the No.10 position and I thought he was excellent.
"His job was to get up and support Rickie Lambert; with Jordan and his running power, and Raheem with his speed on the sides, he could feed them through."
Thoughts will now return to the Barclays Premier League, and Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday in the short term, with the conclusion of the Champions League group stages scheduled for a fortnight's time.
"In the Premier League, we haven't been good enough in our performances or consistent enough - that's my responsibility," Rodgers concluded. "In the Champions League, we still have it in our hands.
"It was always going to be a very close group; all the teams have shown they are good teams. Basel are a team that have got experience in the competition, and Ludogorets in their first year have had some good results.
"We should have won the game but didn't - now, it's all in our hands into the last game, I can't ask any more than that. To win in your final game at home, when I thought at the beginning of the competition that would be the case, I'm happy to take that."