A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Grapples With Decline
The glaring attention that has centered around one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the full collection of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Seasoned Stars and New Deals
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 securing the futures to a seasoned pair much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like its worth.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as highlighted by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Sequence That Symbolized The Struggle
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his unusual failure to act decisively, 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself."
Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar 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 packed with experience, it was absent here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the initiative.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard.
A Team Lacking Ideas
Slot persisted with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, 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 deflected 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 superb tracking back allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had beaten keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
Slot and his struggling title-holders 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, ponderous and lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled.
But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, self-believing and a genuine threat.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have grown into 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 a case of going back to basics.