Steven Gerrard struck a stoppage-time penalty to deny Fulham a deserved point and snatch victory for Liverpool at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers led twice through Kolo Toure's own goal and Kieran Richardson's second-half strike, only for the visitors to hit back through Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.
And the hosts were dealt a devastating late blow as Gerrard scored from the spot after Sascha Riether had brought down Sturridge in the box.
German defender Riether held his hands up for his blunder afterwards.
“There was a silly challenge that should not have been made," said boss Rene Meulensteen.
"The first thing he said when he got back in the dressing room was: ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have done it.’”
The result was rough on a Fulham side who had led twice through Kolo Toure's own goal and Kieran Richardson's second-half strike.
“It was definitely cruel,” said Meulensteen. “I think we deserved a point. If you look at the game, we got our noses in front.
"We actually played quite well, were well organised, we didn’t let them settle into a rhythm. They didn’t create much danger.
“You can see there is improvement. The new players are making a difference. The discipline they had and showed in terms of defensive shape. A point and I’d have been very pleased. But it wasn’t to be.”
