A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles Decline

The intense attention that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night.

The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was placed on the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the array of major prizes, whose dip in performance became the focus during the 1-1 draw.

The Seasoned Stars and New Deals

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the prospect of offering extensions to a seasoned pair 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 stark fact that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.

A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like a good return.

Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has received little support by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also had significant difficulties, as highlighted by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Sequence That Summed Up The Struggle

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away 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 unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.

Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.

"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops off. 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself."

The Numbers and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature 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 pale imitation of his usual commanding presence 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative 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 distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm.

A Side Devoid of Spark

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

The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet 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 grandstand finish.

Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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 beaten keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and Looking Ahead

Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 slow, unimaginative and lacking in ideas. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried little conviction. Performances 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 adventurous, self-believing and a genuine threat.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative 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.