🔗 Share this article A Diminished Presence of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Battles Waning Influence The unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the complete set of major prizes, whose poor form came under the microscope during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value 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 brutal reality that standards have dropped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as proved by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. An Incident That Summed Up The Struggle It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself." The Numbers and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded 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 pale imitation of his usual dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the throat. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Team Devoid of Ideas Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines. The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish. Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's outstanding recovery run allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had dribbled past keeper Alisson. Credit Due and Looking Ahead Slot and his fading 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 little conviction. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed. But full acknowledgment 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 adventurous, 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 unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the complete set of major prizes, whose poor form came under the microscope during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value 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 brutal reality that standards have dropped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as proved by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. An Incident That Summed Up The Struggle It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself." The Numbers and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded 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 pale imitation of his usual dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to take control by the throat. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Team Devoid of Ideas Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines. The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish. Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's outstanding recovery run allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had dribbled past keeper Alisson. Credit Due and Looking Ahead Slot and his fading 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 little conviction. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed. But full acknowledgment 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 adventurous, 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.