A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles Decline

The glaring spotlight that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the complete set of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the stalemate.

The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions

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

Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the harsh truth that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit

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

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Sequence That Summed Up The Problem

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

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

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

"Van Dijk surrenders possession 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 faultless. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself."

Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after winning 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 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the initiative.

Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the rule.

A Side Devoid of Ideas

Slot kept faith 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 turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after scoring his first 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.

Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's excellent defensive sprint allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had rounded keeper Alisson.

Praise Deserved and The Road Forward

Slot and his struggling title-holders 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 lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed.

But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, assured 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 adapted to life in the Premier League that they will be unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.

For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.