The Spaniard gave another glimpse that he is back to his deadly best when he powered onto Steven Gerrard's magnificent through ball and fired home the opener on six minutes.

However, it was not enough to extend the Reds' winning run as Hugo Rodallega smashed in a deserved equaliser for a dangerous Latics outfit just after the interval.

It means Roy Hodgson's men remain ninth in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke, five points adrift of Manchester City who lie fourth.

Liverpool arrived at the DW Stadium in buoyant mood and it was no surprise that Hodgson opted to name the same line-up that had produced such an impressive display in Sunday's win over Chelsea.

It saw the resurgent Torres continue up front alongside Dirk Kuyt while Martin Kelly retained his place at right-back.

Four wins from their last four matches meant there was a noticeable spring in the visitors' steps as they took to the field and they could have been ahead on two minutes when man of the moment Lucas Leiva picked up Maxi's pass before forcing a fine save out of Ali Al-Habsi with a raking shot from distance.

The travelling Kop roared their approval and with Liverpool dominating the early exchanges it wasn't long until they were on their feet celebrating the opener.

Steven Gerrard picked up the ball just inside his own half and instantly looked to send Torres clear with a sensational 40 yard pass. The Spaniard held off the attentions of Gary Caldwell and raced into the area before firing a low shot beyond the despairing dive of the Latics's stopper.

It gave the Reds the platform they would have wanted and on 16 minutes they should have doubled their advantage but Gerrard volleyed over after Kuyt had nodded his looped pass back into his path.

The hosts had barely threatened but did cause Pepe Reina a moment of concern soon after when Ronnie Stam outpaced Paul Konchesky on the overlap and sent in a dangerous low ball that fizzed right across the Spaniard's six yard box.

It seemed to give the hosts a lift as they came close again on 25 minutes when Charles N'Zogbia's dangerous run from the right ended with Mohamed Diame crashing a goalbound shot into the midriff of Jamie Carragher.

As the half hour approached Liverpool began to look less assured in possession and they were almost made to pay when Lucas presented the ball to N'Zogbia deep inside his own half. The former Newcastle winger looked to have punished the Reds for some slack play but saw his celebrations cut short after Hugo Rodallega was adjudged to have strayed offside.

There had been a clear shift in dominance and Rodallega should have done better when he guided Stam's delightful near post cross just off target on the stroke of half-time.

Hodgson would have been frustrated that his side had not made more of their early breakthrough and his plans were further hit when Raul Meireles was forced off at the interval through illness.

The home side had now assumed the ascendancy and on 52 minutes they put together the move that saw them pull level.

A neat move down the right ended with Stam sending a devilish delivery into the danger zone. The exposed Reina could only parry the ball back into the heart of his area, allowing Rodallega the chance to flash a shot into the roof of the net.

In truth, it was no more than Roberto Martinez's men deserved and they continued to look the more likely as the second period developed into a scrappy affair.

First Diame cut inside and warmed Reina's hands with a well-struck 25 yarder before Maynor Figeuroa drilled just past the far upright.

There had been little sign of Liverpool as an attacking force but they almost restored their lead on 72 minutes when Maxi came within inches of converting Kelly's searching cross.

From the resulting corner the Reds did have the ball in the net but Kuyt's close range finish was correctly ruled out for offside.

Back up the other end and the ever-dangerous Stam raced to the byline and produced another teasing centre that Kelly did brilliantly to hack to safety.

Liverpool responded and were unlucky not to grab their second of the game on 79 minutes when Gerrard crashed a shot off the underside of the bar after Maxi had sent him clear.

With time running out the game became stretched as both sides probed for a winner and Reina had to be alert to deny Diame after the midfielder surged onto Stam's clever return pass.

It was a busy night for the Reds stopper and he ensured the Reds would leave the DW Stadium with a point when he kept out N'Zogbia's near post drive late on.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Jamie Carragher