🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles Waning Influence The glaring focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the array of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both. Backline Issues and Summer Spending Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed 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 struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Symbolized The Issue It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped 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 finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, 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 was impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's erring and hesitating." Statistical Decline and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be written off after winning 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 lowest recovery numbers 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the throat. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration 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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned 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 deflected 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 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 beaten keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and The Road Forward Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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 little conviction. Performances like this are the reason their title defence has fallen apart. But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, assured and dangerous. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have grown into life in the Premier League that they will be disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally. For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.
The glaring focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the array of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both. Backline Issues and Summer Spending Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed 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 struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Symbolized The Issue It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped 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 finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, 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 was impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's erring and hesitating." Statistical Decline and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be written off after winning 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 lowest recovery numbers 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the throat. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration 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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned 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 deflected 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 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 beaten keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and The Road Forward Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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 little conviction. Performances like this are the reason their title defence has fallen apart. But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, assured and dangerous. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have grown into life in the Premier League that they will be disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally. For Slot and Liverpool, it is a case of going back to basics.