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

The glaring attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend turned to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.

Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of major prizes, whose poor form became the focus during the 1-1 draw.

The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of offering extensions to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

Truly, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that performance has dipped alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like value for money.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has possessed 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 failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Encapsulated The Struggle

It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before standing off and turning away on a 25-yard shot that struck 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 away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.

"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops 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 dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and hesitating."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed after claiming 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 clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative.

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

A Side Lacking Ideas

Slot kept faith 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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop looked 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 increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's superb tracking back 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 slow, labored and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays 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 reaping the benefits for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, confident and threatening.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have grown into 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 back to the drawing board.