A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Fights A Dip in Form
The glaring spotlight that has been trained on one elite Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the array of major prizes, whose dip in performance became the focus during the 1-1 draw.
The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of offering extensions to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no denying the stark fact that standards have dropped concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer overhaul that has not yet shown anything like a good return.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has held since his £75m move 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 renowned star has also had significant difficulties, as highlighted by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Summed Up The Problem
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk losing possession before standing off and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and looped 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 conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just retreats. 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 was impeccable. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself."
Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after claiming 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 commanding presence 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was absent here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was representative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard.
Liverpool Devoid of Ideas
Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian came on at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after opening his account 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 thrilling finale.
Stoppage-time tension 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.
Credit Due and Looking Ahead
Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to take a point 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 slow, ponderous and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried scant belief. Performances like this are the reason their defense of their crown has fallen apart.
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 superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, 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 frustrated they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.