A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Battles A Dip in Form
The unforgiving spotlight that has centered around one elite Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was placed on the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of securing the futures to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m transfer 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 great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Symbolized The Issue
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs off. It's the incorrect choice. 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 dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself."
Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be written off after claiming two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the throat.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an emergency striker, was representative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.
A Team Lacking Spark
Slot persisted with the side that ended 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 pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous 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 spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's outstanding recovery run allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had dribbled past 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 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 devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays 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 rewarded for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and dangerous.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have embraced 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 time for reflection.
