A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Fights A Dip in Form

The glaring attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was placed on the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the complete set of top honors, whose struggles came under the microscope during the draw.

The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much closer to the end of their careers than the start.

Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that levels have fallen worryingly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul

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

Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m switch 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 not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Encapsulated The Struggle

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 floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.

Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed 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 pale imitation 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 preserve 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 scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard.

A Team Without Inspiration

Slot stayed with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching from the sidelines.

The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet 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 deflected 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 spared embarrassment 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 rounded keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to accept the point 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 reaping the benefits for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were adventurous, self-believing and dangerous.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative 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 back to the drawing board.