A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles A Dip in Form

The intense focus that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night.

Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was relegated to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles came under the microscope during the stalemate.

The Seasoned Stars and New Deals

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

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

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m switch 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 struggled badly, as proved by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Summed Up The Problem

It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating 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 disadvantage.

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

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

Statistical Decline and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed after securing 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 full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the throat.

Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort 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 anomaly rather than the norm.

A Team Lacking Inspiration

Slot persisted with the side that ended 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 anonymous after opening his account 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 grandstand finish.

A late scare 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 The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to accept the 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, labored and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed.

But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were adventurous, 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.