A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles Decline
The glaring spotlight that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his poor form this season - and was placed on the bench for the consecutive Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the array of top honors, whose dip in performance took center stage during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value 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 avoiding the harsh truth that standards have dropped concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as highlighted by his desperate handball that conceded a penalty in the significant 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 giving the ball away before standing off and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency 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 act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs off. 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 commanding, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."
The Numbers and A Leadership Void
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off 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 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was absent here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the throat.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard.
A Team Devoid of Inspiration
Slot persisted with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching from the sidelines.
The Egyptian came on 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 getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under greater pressure 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.
Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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.
Praise Deserved and The Road Forward
Slot and his underperforming defending champions 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 slow, labored and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has fallen apart.
But huge credit 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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, 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 adapted to 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 a case of going back to basics.