Liverpool were denied the chance to move fifth in the Premier League as Leeds United substitute Ao Tanaka equalised in the 96th minute to clinch a 3-3 draw at Elland Road.
Arne Slot has fallen short of the seven points against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds to save his job, mustering only five over the three games, as the champions twice blew a lead in West Yorkshire.
Not only was Mohamed Salah left on the bench for a third game running, Slot did not see fit to bring on Liverpool's greatest goalscorer of the 21st century when his team needed a goal,
Dominik Szoboszlai had made it 3-2 to Liverpool with 10 minutes to go after Leeds fought back from 2-0 down in an enthralling, six-goal half that had one last twist as Tanaka levelled at the back post from a corner to cap a near-perfect week for Daniel Farke.
Leeds move three points clear of the relegation zone after taking four points from games against Chelsea and Liverpool at Elland Road in the space of four days when Farke's position was thought to be under threat. His bold changes were decisive here.
However, It was Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate that handed Leeds a route back into the game when it seemed the champions were cruising to victory after Hugo Ekitike's quickfire double following the restart.
Konate's rash challenge in the box on substitute Wilfried Gnonto led to Leeds being awarded a penalty by referee Anthony Taylor following an on-field review recommended by VAR.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, scoring his third goal in three games, halved the deficit from the spot and Liverpool crumbled to allow Anton Stach to equalise less than three minutes later as Farke's triple change turned the game.
Liverpool thought they had the game won and were headed for fifth when Szoboszlai coolly slotted in their third after 80 minutes, only to let their lead slip for a second time, succumbing to an increasingly familiar fate in this most difficult of seasons for the champions.
SportNews pundit Gary Neville to SportNews:
"Liverpool's implosion is real. This is a game that was comfortable for them at 2-0.
"It could happen. You thought it might happen. Arne Slot cannot believe it.
"It's a mystery that continues. His team just implodes. Liverpool... you just can't trust them."
Liverpool boss Arne Slot to SportNews:
"It's not the first time we've dropped points. It's not the first time we have conceded a goal in the last minute. It's not the first time we have conceded a set-piece. I think everyone can understand what the mood was in the dressing room.
"I don't think we conceded any chance until we were 2-0 up. The penalty wasn't a chance but we made it a chance because it led to a penalty, with a VAR intervention one more time.
"So 2-1, then maybe their first chance of the game led to 2-2. We showed mentality to go 3-2 up. I think after that we had control. Of course, there's always the long ball, second ball, which you can't always make sure it doesn't happen.
"And then a set-piece comes in nine minutes of extra time and they score. That is part of our season. But the ones to blame are us. We concede these chances."
On Konate conceding the penalty: "What you can say is he tries to do everything to prevent a cross from coming. If you want to call it a mistake, it's a mistake from hard work and trying. There was contact, that's for sure. He was already on his way, going to the floor, but again we should look at ourselves."
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai to SportNews:
"I don't know what happened after 2-0. I think we thought the game was over. We said at the beginning of the game that this was the kind of game where you can never underestimate the team you play against.
"There are times when you have to look at yourselves, just think and ask yourself if you did everything possible. If the answer is yes, then keep going and the momentum will come.
"We have to find solutions, we have to show reactions and everybody has to take responsibility. Not always the old guys or the guys that have been here longer, everybody.
"Everybody has to go on the pitch and show they are ready to fight for this badge."
Leeds boss Daniel Farke to SportNews:
"It was difficult today. Against three of the biggest names not just in English football, but European football. To get out of this week with these performances and this amount of points is great for the lads.
"We made a few mistakes and were running out of energy because we had to be over the line physically agianst these tops sides. In the face of adversity we showed great spirit, togetherness and flexibility.
"The lads can take more than a point out of it, it feels a bit like a win tonight."
