Allen: Vital we gave ourselves a chance
Joe Allen insists frustrations at a late lapse which cost Liverpool victory against Ludogorets Razgrad were tempered by the fact that the Reds can now command their own Champions League destiny next month.
When Georgi Terziev responded quicker than the rest to head beyond Simon Mignolet and level the scores at 2-2 on Wednesday night, it was to deny the visitors a return to winning ways, rather than the chance to qualify from Group B.
The fact that Real Madrid beat FC Basel to keep the Swiss side's points tally at six ahead of the final group fixtures, means Liverpool, with four points, can climb above them with a victory by any scoreline when the sides meet at Anfield on December 9.
Allen insists securing such a position was paramount in Sofia, where the Reds endured the worst possible start, falling behind after three minutes as Mignolet spilled a shot from range and Dani Abalo arrived to tuck away the opening strike.
Rickie Lambert hit back with a goal almost entirely of his own making - aided by a mix-up from the Bulgarians - who were then powerless to prevent Raheem Sterling from carving them open and finding Jordan Henderson, who made it 2-1.
With minutes left on the clock, Terziev netted to level the scores and a sense of disappointment pervaded as Liverpool trooped from the turf. The Reds were rocked; however, fully aware of what they must now do to secure qualification.
"You want to win games of course," Allen told Liverpoolfc.com. "The most important thing is that we're still alive in the competition. It's good for it to be in our hands and for us [to be] in the position we are at the moment.
"There were improvements all round. I think the commitment was there for everyone to see. I think we had more composure at times than we have had recently, so there were positive things.
"But to concede the goal like that from a set-piece is disappointing. We'll work on it to make sure that we're better next time."
Before the Reds' final Group B game against Basel, three fixtures lie in wait for Brendan Rodgers' side in the Barclays Premier League, starting with Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday.
From there, the team will journey to Leicester City to lock horns with the newly promoted Foxes, while Sunderland make the trip to Merseyside on December 6, a matter of days prior to the showdown against the Swiss.
The focus will naturally turn to ensuring the team can return to winning form in those league games; however, Allen insists that when the time does arrive to clash with Basel, the visitors can expect a ferocious Anfield atmosphere.
"We're calling on all the supporters to get behind us and make sure that it's the toughest evening of the Basel players' lives," insisted the Wales international. "We're looking forward to it."