A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Grapples With A Dip in Form
The intense attention that has centered around one world-class Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles came under the microscope during the stalemate.
The Seasoned Stars and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of handing contracts to a seasoned pair much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that levels have fallen worryingly for both.
Backline Issues and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like value for money.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Symbolized The Struggle
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away 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 was impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself."
The Numbers and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering 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 defensive actions are also down on last season.
And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the initiative.
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 Devoid of Inspiration
Slot persisted 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 failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not taken a deflection 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 beaten keeper Alisson.
Praise Deserved and The Road Forward
Slot and his fading champions 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 sluggish, unimaginative and lacking in ideas. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried little conviction. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, confident and dangerous.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have grown into 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.