Liverpool lost ground on their top four rivals as they were beaten 1-0 by Fulham in a lively match at Craven Cottage tonight.
The Reds created the better chances throughout the opening 70 minutes, but were then pressed onto the back foot in the latter stages after the sending off of Jay Spearing.
Jordan Henderson came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when his shot beat Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer but rebounded off the post.
Dangerous Uruguayan Luis Suarez beat the Australian stopper again in the second period but his clever effort was ruled out for offside.
Just as the visitors were mounting pressure on the tiring Cottagers, Spearing saw red for a challenge on Moussa Dembele.
That incident turned the game around, as it was then Martin Jol's side who sensed the opportunity for three points.
Clint Dempsey, who also tested Pepe Reina in the first half, hit the crossbar before Dembele went close with a curling effort.
It was then Liverpool's turn to hit the woodwork when substitute Stewart Downing's effort was turned onto the post by Schwarzer.
American Dempsey then finally opened the scoring with just six minutes left when he pounced to prod home after Reina parried Danny Murphy's shot.
With the result, Fulham move five points clear of the relegation zone while Liverpool fall five points adrift of Chelsea in fourth.
Joe Fish
