A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Waning Influence

The unforgiving spotlight that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend turned to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.

Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the full collection of top honors, whose poor form took center stage during the 1-1 draw.

The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of handing contracts 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 harsh truth that standards have dropped concerningly for both.

Backline Issues and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like its worth.

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

Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Summed Up The Issue

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

For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an curious trait of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

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

"Van Dijk surrenders possession 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

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

He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the initiative.

Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the norm.

A Side Without Spark

Slot stayed with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching from 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 ineffective after getting off the mark 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 grandstand finish.

Stoppage-time tension 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.

Praise Deserved and The Road Forward

Slot and his underperforming defending champions 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, unimaginative and lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays 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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were positive, confident and threatening.

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

For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.