Fernando Torres looked as if he'd given the Reds a much-needed win with a well-worked goal at the Kop end on 49 minutes.

Anfield was silenced, however, when Titus Bramble capitalised on poor defending to level the scores with 10 minutes remaining.

The result, combined with Man City's victory in Newcastle, leaves Liverpool in fifth spot, 12 points off the top of the table with just under half of the season remaining.

Rafa Benitez deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation against a side who'd never gained so much as a point from their opponents, with Javier Mascherano the lone midfield ranger in front of a defence which again included Alvaro Arbeloa at its heart.

Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard were left to pull the strings in those holes we hear so much about whenever a lesser side is in town. All the while Jermaine Pennant - a surprise inclusion after a lengthy lay off with a stress fracture - and Harry Kewell hugged the wings deep inside the Wigan half.

The system produced some pretty football in patches early on, Torres and Alonso in particular parading the talents which make the Kop sing their name.

Talking of the Kop, the famous stand seemed to have found its voice after a couple of quiet months. They were singing to keep warm, their cheeks stung by the Siberian winds Michael Fish had warned us about. Maybe RTK should outlaw gloves and longjohns instead of jester hats.

So, the Kop in fine voice and the Reds showing some promising touches. All we needed now was a goal.

Both sides carved out decent chances. Ryan Taylor and Michael Brown firing narrowly wide from distance for the visitors, while at the Anfield Road End Gerrard and Mascherano might both have done better after assists from the Torres.

The Spaniard had shown them how it was done after only 11 minutes, hitting the net after being put through by Kewell only to be denied by the offside flag.

A breakthrough seemed less and less likely as the first half wore on, and the passing became less fluent from the home side. Torres did come close on 41 minutes, mind, with a firm header just over from Alonso's inswinging free-kick.

Wigan had managed to get a grip on the Reds' system by the time the whistle blew for the end of the first half. How long before the Anfield faithful's tunefulness would become warped by groans of frustration?

It seemed as though the question was rendered academic within three minutes of the restart with a goal which went something like this: Torres to Gerrard, Gerrard to Steve Finnan, Steve Finnan to Torres - WHAM.

Sixteen goals now for the Spaniard half way through his debut season in England. Can anyone remember Didier Drogba or Thierry Henry making such an impact in their transitional months? Certainly not.

Still, it's a team game, and Torres and his teammates still had work to do.

Gerrard nearly doubled the advantage on 62 minutes with a 30-yard whack which Chris Kirkland, on his first return to Anfield, could only parry. Titus Bramble hooked it from under the bar before Torres could get there. An escape.

It wasn't vintage Liverpool by any means, but openings were coming and, at the other end, Pepe Reina had yet to get his gloves dirty.

Kewell, searching for his first Liverpool goal since his latest return from injury, drifted one just over from 25 yards on 74 minutes in what was his last piece of action. Enter Yossi Benayoun.

But before the little Israeli had chance to weave some of his magic, Anfield was stunned. By Titus Bramble.

The equaliser came on 80 minutes when Gerrard cleared a free-kick to the edge of the box where the much-maligned defender was positioned to fire beyond Reina.

Cue aforementioned groans of frustration. 'Attack, attack, attack' roared the Kop, but even with the double introduction of Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch, it was too late.

The gap to Arsenal now stands at 12 points, and though the Reds have a game in hand, it's going to take an almighty push if the 18-year wait is going to end.

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