A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Decline

The glaring focus that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.

The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny 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 peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the array of top honors, whose poor form became the focus during the stalemate.

The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of securing the futures to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start.

Truly, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the harsh truth that performance has dipped worryingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like value for money.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue

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 looped 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 detriment.

Ill fortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops off. 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 impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself."

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 glittering Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self 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 packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.

A Team Without Ideas

Slot stayed with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines.

The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 thrilling finale.

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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and Looking Ahead

Slot and his underperforming defending 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 lethargic, labored and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has fallen apart.

But significant praise 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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were positive, assured 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 adapted to 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 time for reflection.