Tempers flared as Real pressed for a winner to delay their rivals' title confirmation, and Espanyol's Victor Sanchez was sent off for a crude late tackle on Higuain while 10 other bookings were handed out in the match.
Not for the first time this season, Liverpool were well below par and five yellow cards, including bookings for Torres and Steven Gerrard late on, summed up a miserable Monday for the Merseysiders.