A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Fights Decline
The unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major trophies, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the idea of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that performance has dipped concerningly for both.
Backline Issues and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like its worth.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Symbolized The Problem
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before standing off and averting his body 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 peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature 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 faded version of his usual dominant persona this season, with the worst recoveries per game during his Liverpool career, while defensive actions are also down on last season.
And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to take control by the throat.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.
A Team Lacking Ideas
Slot persisted with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines.
The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.
Stoppage-time tension 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.
Praise Deserved 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, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed.
But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, assured and threatening.
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.