A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Battles Waning Influence

The intense attention that has been trained on one global Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.

The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was consigned to the bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the complete set of major prizes, whose dip in performance became the focus during the draw.

The Veteran Duo and New Deals

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the notion of handing contracts to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.

In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the stark fact that levels have fallen worryingly for both.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending

Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money.

At the same time, 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 defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Encapsulated The Struggle

It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that hit him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.

Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"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 commanding, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."

Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded after claiming two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual imperious self this season, with the poest ball recovery rate per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats are also down on last season.

And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost 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 symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm.

Liverpool Lacking Inspiration

Slot kept faith 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 looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous 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 deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale.

Late drama 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.

Credit Due and Looking Ahead

Slot and his underperforming defending 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 lethargic, ponderous and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title 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 clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and a genuine threat.

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 a case of going back to basics.