Ao Tanaka scored a 96th-minute equalizer as Leeds hit back to deny Liverpool a morale-boosting victory at Elland Road.
The champions looked set to put their recent uncertain form behind them when two quick goals from the recalled Hugo Ekitiké early in the second half put them in control.
Leeds fought back, however, and a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty and an Anton Stach goal restored parity and set up a frantic final 15 minutes.
Dominik Szoboszlai thought they had won for Liverpool when they headed home after 80 minutes, but Tanaka struck at the far post after the visitors failed to deal with a corner from the left wing to send the home fans crazy.
The draw means Leeds are now three points clear of the bottom three. Liverpool are eighth.
No goals but Liverpool lead the first half
Leeds got off to a good start with Noah Okafor missing an early chance and Gabriel Gudmundsson firing over inside the opening four minutes.
Liverpool progressed slowly into the match and moved closer to the opener after 17 minutes. Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones exchanged passes, freeing the England international to curl a magnificent effort over the bar with Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri beaten.
Ekitike then came closer thanks to the good work of Florian Wirtz.
Virgil van Dijk was next to try his luck after 28 minutes, his header from Szoboszlai’s free-kick going just over.
Leeds chained very few passes and Liverpool remained in the spotlight with Gakpo’s deflected shot just inches from the post.
Ekitike double not enough
A relatively calm first period of 45 minutes gave way to an exciting second, launched by Ekitike.
The French international opened the scoring three minutes after the restart, capitalizing on a poor pass from Joe Rodon to slot the ball past Perri.
The score was 2-0 two minutes later as Ekitike challenged Perri as they fought over Conor Bradley’s cross and the ball ricocheted into the net.
Leeds offered little response until the 66th minute, when Alisson had to be alert to keep out a close range effort from Jayden Bogle.
Perri produced a brilliant save to deny Gakpo and it proved a pivotal moment when, shortly afterwards, Ibrahima Konate unnecessarily collided with Willy Gnonto and Calvert-Lewin made no mistake from the spot.
As Elland Road suddenly believed it, noise levels rose by several decibels and Liverpool looked vulnerable. The equalizer came when Stach had too much time and space in the area and he rounded Curtis Jones’ weak challenge before shooting past Alisson.
Perri superbly saved a Virgil Van Dijk header before the outstanding Szoboszlai pounced on Ryan Gravenberch’s pass and coolly put the Reds back in front.
It looked like it would be the winner, but Leeds came back and scored the goal they craved when Stach’s corner was not dealt with and substitute Tanaka fired home.
There was still time for Alexander Isak to glance wide, but Leeds held on.
