A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Grapples With A Dip in Form
The glaring focus that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.
The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the array of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Veteran Duo and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the idea of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the stark fact that standards have dropped concerningly for both.
Backline Issues and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a ÂŁ450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like a good return.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has carried since his ÂŁ75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue
It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that hit him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. It's the wrong decision. 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 was impeccable. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and doubting himself."
Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded 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 shadow of his usual dominant persona this season, with the poest ball recovery rate per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats are also down on last season.
And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the initiative.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an emergency striker, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard.
A Team Without Ideas
Slot persisted with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines.
The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with ÂŁ125m Alexander Isak also quiet after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under even more pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and Looking Ahead
Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to accept the point knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson blessed 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 slow, labored and devoid of creativity. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown 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 superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, assured and a genuine threat.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have adapted to life in the Premier League that they will be unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.
