A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Fights A Dip in Form

The unforgiving spotlight that has centered around one global Liverpool legend turned to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night.

The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the stalemate.

The Experienced Pair and New Deals

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start.

Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the brutal reality that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like value for money.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Encapsulated The Struggle

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

For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.

"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 was impeccable. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree 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 pale imitation of his usual dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 brimming with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless 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 symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the rule.

A Side Devoid of Ideas

Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.

The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after opening his account 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 deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale.

Stoppage-time tension 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 struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the point knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson lucky 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 lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has fallen apart.

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 adventurous, confident and threatening.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have grown into 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 back to the drawing board.