A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Fights Decline
The glaring focus that has been trained on one elite Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night.
The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances 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 captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the array of top honors, whose poor form became the focus during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool question asked at the prospect of offering extensions to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the stark fact that standards have dropped concerningly 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 still to demonstrate anything like value for money.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Summed Up The Problem
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away 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 curious trait of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.
Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs off. 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 faultless. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself."
The Numbers and A Lack of Command
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 defensive actions 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 rousing a team that once again looked clueless to grab the game by the throat.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the norm.
A Team Devoid of Spark
Slot stayed with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian emerged 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 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish.
Stoppage-time tension 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.
Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead
Slot and his underperforming defending 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, ponderous and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled.
But huge credit 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 fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were adventurous, assured and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic 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.
