A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Fights Decline
The glaring attention that has centered around one global Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his struggles this season - and was relegated to the substitutes' bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the array of top honors, whose dip in performance took center stage during the draw.
The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the harsh truth that performance has dipped concerningly for both.
Backline Issues and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's collapse in 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.
An Incident That Summed Up The Struggle
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away 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 undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs 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 was impeccable. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and doubting himself."
Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after claiming two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries per game during his Liverpool career, while tackles and interceptions 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 motivating a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the throat.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.
A Team Devoid of Inspiration
Slot persisted 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 failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under greater 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 fading 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 lethargic, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled.
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 superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, assured and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have grown into 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 time for reflection.
