A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles Waning Influence
The intense focus that has centered around one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the full collection of major trophies, whose poor form became the focus during the stalemate.
The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the prospect of handing contracts to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that performance has dipped concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Summed Up The Problem
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating 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 proven caliber, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away 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 make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession 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 impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's erring and doubting himself."
The Numbers and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree 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 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the throat.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option 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 outlier rather than the norm.
A Team Lacking Ideas
Slot persisted with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on 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 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.
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 beaten keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and Looking Ahead
Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to take a 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, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays like this are the reason their title defence 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 notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management 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 indicative of the manner in which they have adapted to 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 a case of going back to basics.
