Cahill, who had been passed fit earlier in the day after struggling with a bruised shin throughout the week, started in attack for the Toffees.

And the Australian forced a fine save out of Liverpool's Pepe Reina with a superb header across goal early on.

However, Cahill had to drop into midfield after Jack Rodwell was controversially sent off on 23 minutes, leaving Everton with plenty of work to do.

Cahill was disciplined in his more defensive role but ultimately Everton's numerical disadvantage cost them, as second-half goals from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez won the day for the Reds.

Elsewhere overnight, Chris Herd was an unused substitute as Aston Villa defeated Wigan 2-0 in the Premier League. The result maintains Villa's unbeaten start to the season and puts them in sixth.

In England's Championship, Adam Federici once again made some fine saves, including one from a Scott McDonald effort, as Reading drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough.

The Aussie stopper, who was brilliant in midweek against Bristol City, made a superb first-half save to deny McDonald and Marvin Emnes.

McDonald also fluffed a golden chance for a winner with 20 minutes remaining when he sliced his left-foot shot wide when he should have done better.

In the end, Federici kept a clean sheet while Rhys Williams played a full game for Boro and McDonald was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go.

In Germany's Bundesliga, Nikita Rukavytsya was a 64th-minute substitute as Hertha BSC eased past FC Koln thanks to three first-half goals. Hertha are now ninth.

In Russia's Premier League, Luke Wilkshire put in a full shift as Dinamo Moscow got back to winning ways to keep alive their title hopes with a 2-1 triumph over Kuban Krasnodar. Dinamo are third, two points behind leaders Zenit with five games to play.

In Holland's Eredivisie, Tommy Oar played a full game as FC Utrecht eased past newly promoted RKC Waalwijk 3-0. Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo (suspended) did not feature. Utrecht are now eighth.

Finally on Friday in UAE's Emirates Cup, Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill scored the winner as Al Jazira defeated Dubai 1-0. The Aussie defender scored late in the first-half after controlling a cross from a corner with his thigh before firing in a shot off the underside of the bar.