A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Battles Waning Influence

The intense attention that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool legend turned to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his poor form this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the complete set of top honors, whose poor form took center stage during the stalemate.

The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool question asked at the notion of handing contracts to a veteran duo much approaching 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 levels have fallen concerningly for both.

Backline Issues and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like a good return.

At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Encapsulated The Issue

It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that hit 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 cost.

Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.

"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. It's the mistake. 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 faultless. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself."

Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a faded version of his usual imperious self this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.

A Team Without Ideas

Slot kept faith 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 pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under even more pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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 accept the point knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson blessed 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 lethargic, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays 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 clear intent 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 indicative of the manner in which they have embraced 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 a case of going back to basics.