A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Fights A Dip in Form
The intense spotlight that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major prizes, whose dip in performance took center stage during the 1-1 draw.
The Seasoned Stars and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of securing the futures to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that standards have dropped worryingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a ÂŁ450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like value for money.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his ÂŁ75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, 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 Summed Up The Problem
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.
Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just drops off. It's the incorrect choice. 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 commanding, but right now he's making mistakes and hesitating."
Statistical Decline 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 stellar Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a faded version of his usual dominant persona 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 packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was representative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the norm.
A Team Devoid of Spark
Slot stayed with the side that halted 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 turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with ÂŁ125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under greater 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.
Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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 underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 slow, labored and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, assured 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 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 time for reflection.
