🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles Decline The glaring spotlight that has centered around one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was placed on 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 peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major prizes, whose poor form came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much approaching the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that performance has dipped concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like value for money. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit 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 not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Symbolized The Issue It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. 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 dominant, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off 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 faded version of his usual imperious self 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's subpar showing, 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 anomaly rather than the norm. A Team Without Spark Slot kept faith with the side that stopped 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 turned to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale. Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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 lethargic, unimaginative and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled. 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 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 embraced 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 spotlight that has centered around one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was placed on 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 peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major prizes, whose poor form came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much approaching the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that performance has dipped concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like value for money. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit 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 not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Symbolized The Issue It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. 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 dominant, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off 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 faded version of his usual imperious self 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's subpar showing, 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 anomaly rather than the norm. A Team Without Spark Slot kept faith with the side that stopped 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 turned to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale. Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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 lethargic, unimaginative and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled. 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 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 embraced 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.