A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Decline

The unforgiving spotlight that has centered around one global Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's fresh desperate night.

Mohamed Salah 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 the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.

But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the complete set of major prizes, whose struggles took center stage during the draw.

The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions

Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of securing the futures to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start.

Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both.

Backline Issues and A Major Overhaul

Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove 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 switch from Southampton in January 2018.

Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

A Moment That Summed Up The Struggle

It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that struck him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.

For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.

Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.

"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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself."

Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command

As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a illustrious Liverpool career.

He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing 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 makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard.

Liverpool Without Spark

Slot kept faith with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching 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 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.

Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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.

Credit Due and Looking Ahead

Slot and his struggling title-holders 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 slow, labored and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. 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 rewarded for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.

The Black Cats were positive, self-believing and threatening.

Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have embraced 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.