A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence
The unforgiving spotlight that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night.
The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this campaign - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the array of major prizes, whose struggles took center stage during the draw.
The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of offering extensions 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 denying the brutal reality that performance has dipped concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a ÂŁ450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like value for money.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has possessed since his ÂŁ75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Encapsulated The Problem
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and turning away on a 25-yard shot that struck him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession 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 imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself."
The Numbers and Missing Leadership
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 shadow of his usual dominant persona this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the throat.
Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard.
Liverpool Lacking Ideas
Slot kept faith 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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It never came, with ÂŁ125m Alexander Isak also quiet 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.
Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 sluggish, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed.
But significant praise 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 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.
