Liverpool's Champions League hopes remain alive after their first goals in the competition since mid-September but a late Ludogorets equaliser saw them leave Bulgaria disappointed.
A dogged performance with few of the hallmarks of manager Brendan Rodgers' preferred way of playing brought an end to a four-match losing run.
And it would have repaired some confidence had it not been for that late lapse in the Vasil Levski National Stadium, their hosts' home from home due to their own ground not meeting Uefa criteria. They had shown resilience to recover from keeper Simon Mignolet's third-minute blunder that allowed Dani Abalo to open the scoring.
Rickie Lambert netted his second goal in as many games. Jordan Henderson then scored to put the Reds in front before half-time. But right at the death Georgi Terziev was on hand to nick an equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw.
With Basel losing at home to Real Madrid, it means Liverpool have to beat the Swiss at Anfield in a fortnight to progress to the knockout stage.
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