A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Decline
The intense attention that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night.
The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the array of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the idea of handing contracts to a seasoned pair much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has not yet shown anything like a good return.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Symbolized The Struggle
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating 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 his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops 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 imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and hesitating."
Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after winning 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 dominant persona 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the norm.
A Side Without Inspiration
Slot stayed 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 was not forthcoming, 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.
Late drama 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 rounded 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 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, labored 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 crumbled.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were adventurous, self-believing and a genuine threat.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have grown into 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 time for reflection.
