A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Fights Waning Influence
The glaring focus that has centered around one global Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the full collection of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw.
The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of handing contracts to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a ÂŁ450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like its worth.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has held since his ÂŁ75m 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 struggled badly, as demonstrated by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Sequence That Summed Up The Struggle
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 away on a 25-yard shot that struck him and drifted 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 disadvantage.
Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just retreats. 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 dominant, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."
The Numbers and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 shadow of his usual dominant persona 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with 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 difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was representative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule.
Liverpool Without Ideas
Slot stayed with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian came on at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with ÂŁ125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after getting off the mark 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 thrilling finale.
A late scare 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 rounded keeper Alisson.
Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead
Slot and his struggling title-holders 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 sluggish, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays 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 seeing the results for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and dangerous.
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 time for reflection.
