🔗 Share this article A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Fights Waning Influence The glaring spotlight that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of handing contracts to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that levels have fallen worryingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Encapsulated The Struggle 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 his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Ill fortune 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 incorrect choice. 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 making mistakes and second-guessing himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after winning 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 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort 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 anomaly rather than the rule. Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration Slot stayed 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 emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account 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 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 rounded keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to take a 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, unimaginative and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled. But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, confident and a genuine threat. 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 unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally. For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.
The glaring spotlight that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of handing contracts to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that levels have fallen worryingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Encapsulated The Struggle 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 his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an curious trait of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Ill fortune 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 incorrect choice. 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 making mistakes and second-guessing himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after winning 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 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort 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 anomaly rather than the rule. Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration Slot stayed 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 emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account 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 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 rounded keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to take a 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, unimaginative and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled. But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, confident and a genuine threat. 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 unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally. For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.