A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles Waning Influence

The glaring attention that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool icon switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.

Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was relegated to the bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday.

But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major trophies, whose poor form came under the microscope during the draw.

The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.

Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that levels have fallen alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money.

At the same time, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Summed Up The Struggle

It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Ill fortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.

"Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just drops 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 impeccable. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."

Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber 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 commanding presence 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the initiative.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.

A Team Devoid of Ideas

Slot stayed with the side that ended 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 turned to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after scoring his first 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 taken a deflection 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 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 fading champions ultimately had to accept the 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 sluggish, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed.

But huge credit 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, assured and threatening.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have grown into life in the Premier League that they will be unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.

For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.