A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Decline
The glaring spotlight that has centered around one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this campaign - and was placed on the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the array of major prizes, whose dip in performance became the focus during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect 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 escaping the brutal reality that levels have fallen worryingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like value for money.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as proved by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. 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 second-guessing himself."
Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be discarded after securing 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 dominant persona 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an emergency striker, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard.
A Team Without Inspiration
Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines.
The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not taken a deflection 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 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 lethargic, unimaginative and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has fallen apart.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, 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 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.
