A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Battles A Dip in Form
The intense spotlight that has centered around one global Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the array of top honors, whose poor form became the focus during the stalemate.
The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool question asked at the prospect of offering extensions to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the stark fact that levels have fallen concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Ill fortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just retreats. It's the wrong decision. 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 doubting himself."
The Numbers and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be written off 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 shadow of his usual commanding presence 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the initiative.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.
A Side 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 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 anonymous after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under even more pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish.
A late scare 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 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 blessed 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, ponderous and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Performances like this are the reason their defense of their crown has fallen apart.
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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, confident 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 back to the drawing board.
