A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence

The unforgiving focus that has been trained on one global Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.

Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this campaign - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the array of top honors, whose poor form became the focus during the stalemate.

The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of handing contracts to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that standards have dropped worryingly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like its worth.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Symbolized The Problem

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that hit him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.

Ill fortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.

"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just drops 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 commanding, but right now he's erring and doubting himself."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded 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 pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries per game during his Liverpool career, while defensive actions 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 motivating a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm.

Liverpool Without Inspiration

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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, 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 greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale.

Late drama 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 beaten keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to take a point 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 sluggish, ponderous and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled.

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 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 telling of the manner in which they have adapted to 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 time for reflection.