A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Waning Influence

The unforgiving focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night.

The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the stalemate.

The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of handing contracts to a veteran duo much nearer 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 levels have fallen alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Costly Refit

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

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

Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as proved by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

An Incident That Symbolized The Problem

It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.

Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just retreats. 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 was faultless. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's slipping up and second-guessing himself."

Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar 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 tackles and interceptions are also down on last season.

And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's preserve alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the throat.

Van Dijk's poor display, 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 standard.

A Team Without Ideas

Slot persisted with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.

The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after scoring his first 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.

Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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 The Road Forward

Slot and his fading champions 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, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances like this are the reason their defense of their crown 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 notable 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 symptomatic of the manner in which they have adapted to 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 back to the drawing board.