A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Fights A Dip in Form

The glaring attention that has centered around one global Liverpool great shifted to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night.

The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this season - and was relegated to the bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of top honors, whose poor form became the focus during the draw.

The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a 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 moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Costly Refit

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like a good return.

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

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Summed Up The Problem

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that hit him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.

"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs 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 faultless. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and hesitating."

Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed after claiming 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to grab the game by the throat.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard.

A Side 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 came on 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 even more 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.

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.

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 blessed 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 devoid of creativity. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown 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 notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching 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 indicative 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 a case of going back to basics.