A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Battles Decline

The intense attention that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.

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

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the complete set of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.

The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of handing contracts to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the harsh truth that standards have dropped concerningly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.

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 faced additional challenges by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Encapsulated The Struggle

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and turning away 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 curious trait of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.

Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.

"Van Dijk loses the ball 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 faultless. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."

Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber 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 faded version of his usual dominant persona 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 lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the rule.

A Side Without Ideas

Slot persisted with the side that stopped 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 was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous 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 deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

A late scare 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 beaten keeper Alisson.

Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead

Slot and his struggling title-holders 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 sluggish, 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 huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and a genuine threat.

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 frustrated they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.

For Slot and Liverpool, it is back to the drawing board.