A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Battles A Dip in Form
The unforgiving attention that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his poor form this season - and was relegated to the bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the array of top honors, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the draw.
The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of handing contracts to a seasoned pair much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star 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 captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and turning away on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk loses the ball 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 was impeccable. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be dismissed 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 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 full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to take control by the initiative.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm.
A Team Devoid of Inspiration
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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under increased scrutiny 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.
Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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.
Credit Due and Looking Ahead
Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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 devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled.
But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and a genuine threat.
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 disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.
