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

The unforgiving attention that has centered around one elite Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.

Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of major prizes, whose poor form became the focus during the 1-1 draw.

The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of offering extensions to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.

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

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money.

At the same time, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the aura of invulnerability he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as highlighted by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Sequence That Summed Up The Problem

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

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

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

"Van Dijk surrenders possession 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and hesitating."

The Numbers and A Lack of Command

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 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 full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the throat.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard.

A Side Devoid of Inspiration

Slot persisted with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching 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 ineffective after getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under even more 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.

A late scare 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.

Praise Deserved 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 traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled.

But significant praise 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 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 embraced 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 time for reflection.