A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Fights Decline

The glaring spotlight that has fallen upon one global Liverpool icon switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major prizes, whose dip in performance took center stage during the 1-1 draw.

The Experienced Pair and New Deals

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the stark fact that standards have dropped concerningly for both.

A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth.

Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges 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 fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavyweight 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 deserved lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off 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 cost.

Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.

"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops off. 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 doubting himself."

Statistical Decline and Missing Leadership

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

He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self 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 missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.

A Team Without Spark

Slot kept faith 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 failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after scoring his first 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.

Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's outstanding recovery run 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 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, unimaginative and lacking in ideas. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed.

But full acknowledgment 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 adventurous, self-believing and a genuine threat.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have embraced 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.