A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence

The intense focus that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night.

The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the array of major prizes, whose dip in performance became the focus during the stalemate.

The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that levels have fallen worryingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Costly Refit

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth.

At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue

It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away 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 undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.

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

"Van Dijk loses the ball 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after winning 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 poest ball recovery rate 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 absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the initiative.

Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.

Liverpool Lacking Spark

Slot stayed with the side that halted 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 pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after opening his account 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 deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish.

A late scare 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 rounded keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to take a point knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson lucky 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 typical final push after the equaliser carried scant belief. Performances like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed.

But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work 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 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 a case of going back to basics.