đŸ”— Share this article A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles A Dip in Form The glaring attention that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was placed on the bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the array of major trophies, whose poor form became the focus during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of offering extensions to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that levels have fallen concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. An Incident That Symbolized The Problem It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning away 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 peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost. Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk loses the ball 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating." Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber 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 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Side Devoid of Inspiration Slot stayed with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from 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 £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending. A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his struggling title-holders 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, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed. But huge credit 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 adventurous, assured and threatening. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling 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.
The glaring attention that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was placed on the bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the array of major trophies, whose poor form became the focus during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of offering extensions to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that levels have fallen concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. An Incident That Symbolized The Problem It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning away 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 peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost. Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk loses the ball 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating." Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber 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 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Side Devoid of Inspiration Slot stayed with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from 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 £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending. A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his struggling title-holders 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, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed. But huge credit 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 adventurous, assured and threatening. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling 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.