There was clearly a European hangover during the first half with the Reds only carving out one clear chance. Steven Gerrard received the ball inside the 18 yard box and sent a curling shot towards the bottom right corner of the goal before City keeper Joe Hart somehow managed to push it round the post.
After the interval Liverpool picked up the pace and Gerrard created a couple of chances for Torres within the opening three minutes of the second half but the striker shot just wide of the post.
That was a temporary respite for Man City. Dirk Kuyt's header found Torres just outside the area, the Spaniard went past Richard Dunne like he wasn't there before slotting the ball past Hart for his 32nd of the season.
The Reds should have added a second but Hart made a good save from Kuyt's fierce volley on the hour mark. Lucas attempted to steer the rebound home with an athletic overhead kick but Hart was fortunate to see that hit straight at him.
Kuyt then headed against the crossbar from one corner and straight at Hart from another before Ryan Babel somehow blazed over the bar from inside the six yard box after some fantastic work from Torres out on the right.
The failure to kill the game off meant a nervy last five minutes as City pushed for an equaliser but with Jamie Carragher magnificent at the back as always it was another clean sheet for Liverpool.