A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Battles Decline
The glaring focus that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major prizes, whose struggles came under the microscope during the draw.
The Experienced Pair and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of offering extensions to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that standards have dropped concerningly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support 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 panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Summed Up The Issue
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk loses the ball 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself."
Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the worst recoveries per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats are also down on last season.
And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the initiative.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the norm.
Liverpool Devoid of Spark
Slot persisted with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching 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 ineffective after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under greater 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 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 rounded 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 fortunate 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, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings 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 seeing the results for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, confident and dangerous.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling 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 back to the drawing board.
