A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Fights Waning Influence

The glaring spotlight that has been trained on one global Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night.

Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his poor form this season - and was placed on the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the array of top honors, whose poor form took center stage during the draw.

The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the idea of securing the futures to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that performance has dipped worryingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Costly Refit

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Symbolized The Struggle

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Bad luck 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 gives the ball away and then he just retreats. It's the wrong decision. 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 faultless. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."

The Numbers and A Lack of Command

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a illustrious Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a faded version of his usual dominant persona 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the throat.

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 exception rather than the standard.

A Team Lacking Spark

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

The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

Late drama 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.

Praise Deserved and The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 slow, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed.

But significant praise 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 fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were adventurous, confident and a genuine threat.

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

For Slot and Liverpool, it is back to the drawing board.