A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Battles Decline
The glaring focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his subpar performances this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the complete set of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of handing contracts to a seasoned pair much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that performance has dipped alarmingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like its worth.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support 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 highlighted by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Sequence That Encapsulated The Struggle
It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.
Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk loses the ball 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 slipping up and second-guessing himself."
Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after securing 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 commanding presence this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 brimming with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre 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 stopped 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 quiet after opening his account 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.
Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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 rounded keeper Alisson.
Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead
Slot and his struggling title-holders 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 sluggish, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their title defence 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 adventurous, confident and dangerous.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have embraced 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 time for reflection.
