A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles Waning Influence

The glaring focus that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool legend turned to another on Anfield's fresh desperate night.

The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the complete set of top honors, whose poor form took center stage during the 1-1 draw.

The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms

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

Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the stark fact that levels have fallen worryingly for both.

A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss 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 shed the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Sequence That Encapsulated The Struggle

It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk losing possession before standing off 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 shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.

Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, 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 imperious, but right now he's slipping up and second-guessing himself."

Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command

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

He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual imperious self this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to take control by the throat.

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 exception rather than the standard.

A Side Lacking Ideas

Slot persisted with the side that ended 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 pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 grandstand finish.

Late drama 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and Looking Ahead

Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson fortunate 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 devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally 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 rewarded for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were positive, confident and a genuine threat.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have adapted to 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 a case of going back to basics.