A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With Decline
The unforgiving focus that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive 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 collected the full collection of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the stalemate.
The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of offering extensions to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that levels have fallen worryingly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like value for money.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his rash 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 well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before standing off and turning away 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 turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just backs off. It's the mistake. 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 commanding, but right now he's erring and hesitating."
Statistical Decline and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a pale imitation 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the norm.
A Side Devoid of Inspiration
Slot kept faith 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 turned to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under even more pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and Looking Ahead
Slot and his underperforming defending 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 slow, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances 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 seeing the results for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, self-believing and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling 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.
