Leeds United rocked Liverpool with a stoppage-time equaliser from Ao Tanaka to cap a thrilling six-goal second half at Elland Road, where the drama continued after the final whistle.
The hosts had earlier come from two goals down to level, before Dominik Szoboszlai looked to have given Liverpool a valuable three points.
But Japanese midfielder Tanaka came off the bench and scored in the sixth added minute, sparking jubilant scenes among the home support.
Following a woeful run of nine defeats in 12 games, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are now unbeaten in three, but they threw away victory on a day where once again Mohamed Salah watched on from the bench.
After the game, club legend Salah made the stunning claim to reporters that he feels as though he has been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and that his relationship with head coach Slot has broken down.
It remains to be seen if his relationship with the Dutchman and the club can be repaired after such a startling revelation.
On the pitch, a goalless first 45 minutes was unmemorable, but the game came to life when Hugo Ekitike scored two goals in three minutes to put Liverpool in control.
They looked to have a firm grip but gave Leeds a way back into the game when Ibrahima Konate fouled Wilfried Gnonto in the box.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck from the penalty spot for Daniel Farke’s side before Anton Stach fired an equaliser in the 75th minute.
Leeds may have sensed the game was there for the taking, but Szoboszlai finished in style five minutes later.
Yet there was one last twist and it came when Tanaka blasted in at the far post from a Leeds corner deep into stoppage time.
The draw for Leeds pushes them up to 16th in the Premier League, three points clear of West Ham in 18th, while Liverpool sit eighth.
Ao Tanaka celebrates his late leveller
Liverpool analysis: Only themselves to blame
For the third game in a row, Slot chose to bench Salah, with Szoboszlai starting down the right in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Liverpool had positive spells in the first half and were comfortable in possession but struggled to get past the Leeds low block.
The likes of Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Ekitike failed to test Lucas Perri in the first half, though Curtis Jones did strike the woodwork with a curling effort from outside the box.
Slot could easily have been tempted to turn to Salah at the break, or Alexander Isak, who also started on the bench,
But he resisted and Liverpool were handed an early Christmas gift in the form of a woeful pass from Joe Rodon just three minutes into the second half.
Ekitike still did brilliantly, with his first touch taking him past Ethan Ampadu before finishing.
It was the 23-year-old’s first Premier League goal since September 20, but in a season where Slot’s side have struggled, Ekitike has undoubtedly been one of their brighter sparks.
His second goal showed his instincts as he bundled in from close range to become the first Liverpool player to score twice in a game this season.
Liverpool only had themselves to blame for letting Leeds back in the game, but the fact Slot didn’t turn to Salah told the story of his recent lack of form.
The 33-year-old had started 53 Premier League games in a row but has been benched for the past three matches and will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend.
Unhappy Salah appeared to hint next Saturday’s game against Brighton could become a farewell to Liverpool, although that is far from certain to be the case at this stage.
Regardless, with four wins in their last 15 games, Liverpool and Slot’s problems are much deeper than the form and feelings of just one player.
From two goals up and then leading 3-2 with time running down, they should have seen this out. Their problems continue.
