A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Battles Decline

The unforgiving attention that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.

The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this season - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the array of top honors, whose struggles became the focus during the 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 notion of handing contracts to a seasoned pair much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.

Truly, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the brutal reality that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like its worth.

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 received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Encapsulated The Problem

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that struck him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"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 erring and doubting himself."

The Numbers and A Leadership Void

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be discarded 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 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game 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 emergency striker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.

Liverpool Lacking Ideas

Slot persisted 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 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 anonymous after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.

Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.

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 Looking Ahead

Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to take a 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 lethargic, unimaginative and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has crumbled.

But full acknowledgment 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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, assured and threatening.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have embraced 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.