Liverpool lost their first Premier League match in which Fernando Torres has scored as the Merseysiders fell to a 3-1 defeat at home. Prior to the match versus Aston Villa, Torres had scored in 28 different league matches for the club with a balance of 23 wins and 5 draws.

It was a bright start from the home side as Liverpool almost took the lead within sixty seconds. Fernando Torres spotted Youssi Benayoun’s run into the box, but the striker’s perfectly weighted pass was headed just wide by his team-mate.

Luck was definitely on Villa’s side on 10 minutes as the ball somehow stayed out of Brad Friedel’s goal. Gerrard, Torres and Benayoun all had efforts blocked before Gerrard once again had his shot deflected behind by Friedel.

Martin O’Neill’s side silenced the home crowd on 34 minutes. Ashley Young’s free-kick was headed into his own net by Lucas Leiva who was back defending. The goal, which came against the run of play, was the visitor’s first of the season.

Fernando Torres had a snap-short punched away by Friedel as Liverpool pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but it was Midlanders who were to double their lead.

On the stroke of half-time Curtis Davies got on the end of a Nicky Shorey corner to glance his header past Pepe Reina.

Liverpool upped the tempo after the break. Dirk Kuyt almost pulled a goal back with sixty minutes gone but his close–range header struck the outside of the post.

The Merseysiders deservedly got back into the game with just under twenty minutes remaining. Fernando Torres handed Liverpool a lifeline following some good work by Insua. The left-back crossed for the Spaniard to volley home into the roof of the net. The goal was the striker’s second in two games.

The Red’s joy however didn’t last long as Ashley Young restored Villa’s two goal lead from the spot on 75 minutes after Steven Gerrard had brought down Nigel Reo-Coker in the box.

Brad Friedel pulled-off an amazing point-blank save to block Torres’ volleyed effort, and Kuyt shot agonisingly wide moments later as Liverpool tried to reduce arrears.

The American keeper was again his side’s hero, tipping over a thumping Torres header before pushing away Johnson’s fierce drive.

Aston Villa held on for their first win in 17 games against a Liverpool side who now lie six points behind Premier League leaders Tottenham and Chelsea.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas Leiva (Voronin, 66), Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun (Babel, 75), Torres

Booked: Reina, Torres

Goals: Torres 72

Aston Villa: Friedel, Beye, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young (Heskey, 80), Agbonlahor

Booked: Nigel Reo-Coker, Skrtel

Goals: Leiva 34 (o.g), Curtis Davies 45, Ashley Young 75 (pen)