A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence

The unforgiving focus that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh desperate night.

Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was relegated to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.

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

The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the notion of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both.

A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer overhaul that has not yet shown anything like a good return.

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

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

A Sequence That Summed Up The Struggle

It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

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

Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just drops 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."

Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed 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 faded version of his usual commanding presence this season, with the worst recoveries 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 missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.

A Team Lacking Inspiration

Slot kept faith 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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned 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 outstanding recovery run allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had dribbled past keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and The Road Forward

Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to take a 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 sluggish, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed.

But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of notable 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 embraced life in the Premier League that they will be frustrated they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.

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