Until the second-half introduction of match-winning substitute Yossi Benayoun, Liverpool appeared on course for a third successive league stalemate with Fernando Torres having squandered a hat-trick of goalscoring opportunities.

	Close: Fernando Torres should have added his name to the scoresheet as Liverpool narrowly beat Wigan

Rafael Benitez's team were unimaginative and predictable. Perhaps the 6-0 rout of Derby a month ago was deceptive. Where title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United seemingly improve and gain momentum with every game, Liverpool find themselves unable to reproduce the electric football that saw them record their best start to a Premier League season.

It is difficult to see where they would have turned for a moment of inspiration had Benayoun not been on the pitch. With his back to goal 30 yards out, Benayoun received Jermaine Pennant's pass and turned defender Titus Bramble one way and then the other before breaking into the penalty area and guiding a left-foot shot past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Having watched from the bench as Torres, so lethal against Reading in midweek, spurned chance after chance, Benayoun admitted that the stalemate was beginning to tell on Liverpool.

"It was very frustrating seeing what was happening because we had missed three or four chances and you do wonder if it is going to be a day when they don't go in. Fernando missed some chances, but I think he played really well," he said. "Everyone realises what a big player he is for us. He has real quality but we are a team and I will take this every game – coming on with 20 minutes to go and scoring, as long as we keep winning.

"The most important thing, even if I'm only on for 10 minutes or so, is to prove I am good enough and contribute like that. I am here for a reason and that is to provide moments like the goal."

Benayoun owed his place on the bench to Benitez omitting Peter Crouch from his 16-man squad for the third time in the league this season. Had he been in a Wigan shirt, Crouch is unlikely to have missed the chance Julius Aghahowa wasted two minutes into stoppage time. Three yards out, he somehow headed Jason Koumas's cross wide.

Defender Emmerson Boyce said: "Julius is a striker and he feels he should have scored. It's one of those things, but hopefully if he gets the same chance in the next game he will put it away."