A typically opportunist strike from Spanish striker Fernando Torres, three minutes into second-half stoppage time, gave Liverpool three points against fellow top-four challengers Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The ball broke kindly to Torres on the edge of the box from a 50-50 tackle 30 yards from goal. And he drove a right-foot shot across Villa keeper Brad Friedel into the corner of the net.

The goal was Torres’ 50^th Liverpool goal, a landmark reached in record-quick time, 72 matches.

It was a little harsh on Villa as there had been nothing to choose between the sides in regulation time.

Liverpool edged possession, especially in the second half, while Villa had most of the few clear-cut opportunities until Torres’ decisive chance.

The conditions were not conducive to good football, with driving sleet and snow making conditions unpredictable.  It was no surprise, then, that defences were on top.

Villa made the brighter start but Steven Gerrard provided the first real threat on goal when his dipping 20-yard shot just cleared Friedel’s crossbar on 17 minutes.

However, Liverpool were grateful to Pepe Reina for blocking a close-range volley from Stuart Downing on the half-hour mark.

The visitors should have had a penalty before the break when Richard Dunne clumsily upended Dirk Kuyt in the box.

But they nearly fell victim on 70 minutes to the defensive lapses which have marred their season.

Gabriel Agbonlahor raced clear after a Jamie Carragher slip but saw his left-foot shot well saved by Reina and John Carew was inches wide with a glancing header from the resultant corner.

And moments later Villa had their own penalty shout when Emiliano Insua headed the ball against his arm but referee Lee Probert judged the offence unintentional.

Villa pressed in stoppage time but with sixty seconds left, the ball fell to an unmarked Torres on the edge of the box and the inevitable followed.