A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence
The unforgiving spotlight that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the array of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Seasoned Stars 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 prospect of offering extensions to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no escaping the brutal reality that levels have fallen concerningly for both.
Backline Issues and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like a good return.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Encapsulated The Issue
It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Ill fortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just retreats. It's the mistake. 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 making mistakes and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be written off after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a illustrious Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to take control by the throat.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the rule.
A Team Without Ideas
Slot persisted with the side that ended 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 never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after getting off the mark 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.
Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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 underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and dangerous.
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 disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.
