A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Battles Waning Influence
The glaring spotlight that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh desperate night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his poor form this campaign - and was relegated to the bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the complete set of top honors, whose dip in performance became the focus during the stalemate.
The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of securing the futures to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no escaping the harsh truth that standards have dropped worryingly for both.
Backline Issues and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a ÂŁ450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like a good return.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his ÂŁ75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Sequence That Encapsulated The Struggle
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating 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 curious trait of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Ill fortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just retreats. 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 was faultless. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself."
The Numbers and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after claiming two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a faded version of his usual imperious self this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to take control by the throat.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative 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 stayed 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 failed to materialize, with ÂŁ125m 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 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 beaten keeper Alisson.
Praise Deserved and The Road Forward
Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to settle for a draw 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, ponderous and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has crumbled.
But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were adventurous, self-believing and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative 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.
