Liverpool face Aston Villa on Tuesday night, kick-off at 19:45 hours (GMT). With the season at its halfway point, the game is a six-pointer for both sides. The Reds require a victory to put pressure on the teams at the top, as for Villa, all three points would keep the Midlanders in the top four for at least another week. - Premier League Table -

Rafa Benitez’s side go into the final competitive match of the year on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win against Wolves. Goals from Benayoun and Gerrard claimed a much needy win for the Anfield club.

On Tuesday Torres will be hunting for his 50th league goal in the stadium which saw the Spaniard make his Premier League debut back in August 2007. The forward has hit 49 league goals for the Reds in 71 appearances and needs just one more strike for the Merseysiders in his next eight league outings to become the fastest Liverpool player in the history of the club to score 50 league goals.

The Spain international came within inches of scoring his 50th league goal for Liverpool in the victory at home to Wolverhampton on Boxing Day. The striker wriggled free inside the box but his snap-shot was pushed over the bar by an inspired Hahnemann.

So far this season the Villains have beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, but the Midlanders lost their last away fixture to Arsenal on December 27. Three second-half goals from the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium condemned Villa to a comprehensive defeat. The loss left Martin O’Neill’s side fourth, five points ahead of the Reds having both played 19 games.

Aston Villa produced an excellent display to beat Liverpool at Anfield when the teams met earlier this season. Lucas Leiva diverted a free-kick past Reina to give the visitors a surprise lead on 34 minutes. Curtis Davies then made it 2-0 to Villa on the stroke of half-time. The defender got on the end of a Nicky Shorey corner to glance a header past Pepe Reina.

With just under twenty minutes remaining Fernando Torres pulled a goal back for Liverpool with a sweet right-footed volley into the roof of the net. The Red’s joy however didn’t last long as Ashley Young scored from the spot on 75 minutes.

The defeat was the first Premier League match which the Reds had lost when the Spanish hit-man had scored. Prior to the match at home to Aston Villa, Torres had scored in 28 different league matches for the club with a balance of 23 wins and 5 draws.

Following the match away to Villa, Liverpool’s attentions turn to the third round proper of the FA Cup. The Reds face Championship side Reading at the Madejski Stadium on January 2, kick-off at 17:15 hours (GMT).