Al-Ettifaq have suffered a late 2-1 defeat against Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League’s ninth round on Thursday evening.
Steven Gerrard’s side have been on a good run of form since their 2-0 defeat to leaders Al-Hilal nearly two months ago.
With a four-game unbeaten run in the league, Al-Ettifaq climbed to fifth in the standings and gained some ground on the top spot.
However, their momentum took a hit on Thursday evening as their streak came to an end with a late home defeat to Slaven Bilic’s Al-Fateh.
The visitors showed a resolute defensive performance and kept Al-Ettifaq at bay in the first half despite good chances from Demarai Gray and Moussa Dembele.
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum had the best chance for Al-Ettifaq in the opening 45 minutes as his curled shot went inches wide of the post before the break.
After a frustrating half, Al-Ettifaq intensified the pressure and managed to open the scoring in the 63rd minute through Dembele.
The Frenchman was lurking at the far post and met Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi’s sublime cross with a bullet header to give the hosts the lead.
Wijnaldum’s effort late in the game almost gave Al-Ettifaq a two-goal cushion but the ball hit the post and the Dutchman’s try on the rebound was parried away for a corner.
Despite their hard work, Al-Fateh got their equaliser against the run of play with less than five minutes left to play on the clock.
In the 92nd minute, summer-signing Djaniny completed Al-Fateh’s comeback, scoring a thunderous volley to net a smash-and-grab winner for his side.
The disappointing defeat meant that Al-Fateh have overtaken Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League table on goal difference with 17 points.