A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Grapples With A Dip in Form
The intense focus that has fallen upon one global Liverpool icon switched to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night.
Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his struggles this season - and was placed on the substitutes' 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 major prizes, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of securing the futures to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the stark fact that standards have dropped concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Sequence That Encapsulated 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 standing off and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just retreats. 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 impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's erring and doubting himself."
Statistical Decline 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 stellar Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual imperious self 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the throat.
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 horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.
A Team Without Spark
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 quiet 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 deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.
Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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 The Road Forward
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 slow, labored and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work 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 embraced life in the Premier League that they will be unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.
