A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Battles A Dip in Form
The unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night.
The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was placed on the sidelines 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 bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the array of top honors, whose poor form took center stage during the draw.
The Seasoned Stars and New Deals
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the idea of securing the futures to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that levels have fallen worryingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like a good return.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the renowned star has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Sequence That Encapsulated The Problem
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that struck 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.
Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk loses the ball 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 making mistakes and second-guessing himself."
Statistical Decline and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature 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 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the throat.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard.
A Side Without Inspiration
Slot stayed with the side that halted a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after scoring his first 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 dramatic ending.
A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to take a 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 slow, labored and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled.
But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, confident and threatening.
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 disappointed they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is back to the drawing board.
