A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence

The unforgiving spotlight that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the complete set of major prizes, whose poor form became the focus during the draw.

The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a seasoned pair much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

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

A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like its worth.

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

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, 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 heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Symbolized The Issue

It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.

Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.

"Van Dijk gives the ball away 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 dominant, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."

Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void

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 stellar Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was absent here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to take control by the initiative.

Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option 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 norm.

Liverpool Without Ideas

Slot persisted with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.

The Egyptian came on at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after scoring his first 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 taken a deflection off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's excellent defensive sprint 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 settle for a draw 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, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has crumbled.

But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were adventurous, assured and dangerous.

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 disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.

For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.