A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Fights Decline
The glaring spotlight that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was relegated to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of top honors, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the prospect of offering extensions to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that levels have fallen concerningly for both.
A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has not yet shown anything like value for money.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that resulted in 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 merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit 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 away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.
Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs off. 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 faultless. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a shadow 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.
A Side Lacking Ideas
Slot stayed with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines.
The Egyptian came on 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 getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale.
A late scare 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.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances 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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were adventurous, assured and threatening.
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 time for reflection.