A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles Waning Influence

The intense spotlight that has centered around one global Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night.

The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.

But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the stalemate.

The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of securing the futures to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

Truly, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that performance has dipped concerningly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like its worth.

At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch 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 failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Sequence That Summed Up The Struggle

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

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"Van Dijk surrenders possession 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 hesitating."

The Numbers and A Leadership Void

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be dismissed 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 dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers per game during his Liverpool career, while defensive actions 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 lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the initiative.

Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the rule.

Liverpool Lacking Spark

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 looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet 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 been turned in 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 avoided defeat in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's superb tracking back allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had dribbled past keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays 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 notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and threatening.

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

For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.