A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Battles Decline

The glaring focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was placed on the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major trophies, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.

The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of handing contracts to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the harsh truth that standards have dropped concerningly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like its worth.

At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as proved by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Symbolized The Struggle

It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before standing off and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just retreats. It's the incorrect choice. He needs to go to the ball. Him not making the decision means that no one else knows what to do."

"Virgil Van Dijk last season couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's making mistakes and hesitating."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual commanding presence this season, with the lowest recovery numbers per game during his Liverpool career, while defensive actions are also down on last season.

And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.

A Side Lacking Inspiration

Slot persisted with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines.

The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not taken a deflection off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's superb tracking back allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had rounded keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and The Road Forward

Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the point knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson fortunate to turn Trai Hume's shot onto the bar in the first half before Omar Alderete headed against the post after the interval.

Liverpool were sluggish, labored and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed.

But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, confident and dangerous.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have embraced life in the Premier League that they will be disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.

For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.