A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With A Dip in Form

The glaring spotlight that has fallen upon one global Liverpool icon switched to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.

The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was placed on the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the array of major prizes, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.

The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the idea of securing the futures 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 escaping the harsh truth that levels have fallen alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like a good return.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Encapsulated The Problem

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just drops off. 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 dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself."

Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership

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 pale imitation 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 brimming with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to take control by the initiative.

Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an emergency striker, was representative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm.

Liverpool Lacking Spark

Slot persisted with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing 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 anonymous after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected 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 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 underperforming defending champions 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 slow, 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 fallen apart.

But huge credit 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 superb management of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were positive, confident and threatening.

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

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