A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence
The unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool legend turned to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his poor form this season - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the array of top honors, whose struggles took center stage during the stalemate.
The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of securing the futures to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the harsh truth that levels have fallen worryingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment 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 backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Misfortune at the end, 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 wrong decision. 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 commanding, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself."
The Numbers and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off 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 lowest recovery numbers 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 brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was representative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.
A Team Without Inspiration
Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian came on at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after opening his account 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 been turned in 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.
Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead
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, ponderous and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed.
But full acknowledgment 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 excellent coaching 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 telling of the manner in which they have embraced 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.
