🔗 Share this article A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles Waning Influence The glaring spotlight that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his poor form this season - and was relegated to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major prizes, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the idea of offering extensions to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that standards have dropped worryingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Summed Up The Problem It was encapsulated 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 his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and drifted 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 detriment. Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment. "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 dominant, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself." The Numbers and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be dismissed after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats 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 missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to take control by the scruff of the neck. 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 distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard. Liverpool Devoid of Ideas Slot persisted 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 turned 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 even more pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale. Stoppage-time tension 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 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 sluggish, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed. But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, assured and dangerous. 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 back to the drawing board.
The glaring spotlight that has fallen upon one world-class Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his poor form this season - and was relegated to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major prizes, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the idea of offering extensions to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that standards have dropped worryingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's scouting department undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Summed Up The Problem It was encapsulated 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 his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and drifted 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 detriment. Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment. "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 dominant, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself." The Numbers and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be dismissed after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats 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 missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to take control by the scruff of the neck. 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 distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard. Liverpool Devoid of Ideas Slot persisted 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 turned 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 even more pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale. Stoppage-time tension 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 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 sluggish, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed. But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, assured and dangerous. 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 back to the drawing board.