Liverpool, who were reduced to ten man after Sotirios Kyrgiakos was sent off on 34 minutes, saw Cahill direct a free header over the bar from barely seven yards in first-half stoppage time.

It would prove a regrettable miss as Dirk Kuyt converted a 55th minute corner with his head for the only goal of the contest which moves the Reds into the Champions League spots.

Elsewhere in the EPL, Mark Schwarzer was the man of the match with several superb saves as Fulham drew 0-0 at Bolton.

Schwarzer, who has kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this season, pushed a first-half Mark Davies shot onto the woodwork, while he did brilliantly later to claw away the danger just as Lee Chung-yong was set to pounce on a great chance.

Brett Emerton played a full game for Blackburn but was largely ineffective as Rovers lost 3-0 at Stoke City. Vince Grella still wasn't in the Blackburn squad.

Richard Garcia was an unused substitute for Hull City as they stunned Manchester City 2-1.

In England's Championship, Nick Carle got his fourth start in a row, and played a full game, as Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Scunthorpe United.

Elsewhere, none of Middlesbrough's Aussies were involved due to injuries as Boro drew 1-1 at Ipswich Town. Middlesbrough are tenth, four points out of the playoff spots.

Adam Federici made a pair of brilliant late saves to help Reading claim a much-needed 2-1 victory at Doncaster Rovers. Reading are still in the drop zone, but just one point behind Ipswich in 21st.

In England's League One, Shane Lowry put in a full shift for Leeds United but conceded late to draw 2-2 at Hartlepool United, meaning the Whites slip from top spot. Patrick Kisnorbo (achilles) and Neil Kilkenny (ankle) are still out.

Elsewhere, Dean Heffernan started and played 75 minutes as Huddersfield drew 1-1 with Carlisle, while Gareth Edds was a 71st minute sub as Tranmere lost 1-0 at home to Oldham.

In England's League Two, Dean Bouzanis played a full game as Accrington Stanley kept up their charge for the playoffs with a 3-2 win over Morecambe. Accrington are now eighth.

Elsewhere, Oliver Bozanic put in a full shift as Aldershot lost 3-0 at Barnet, while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff helped Shrewsbury keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 triumph at Macclesfield which takes them sxith and Aaron Downes played a full game as Chesterfield defeated Chris Herd's Lincoln 2-1.