A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Battles A Dip in Form
The glaring focus that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was placed on the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles took center stage during the 1-1 draw.
The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool concern voiced at the prospect of offering extensions to a seasoned pair much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that performance has dipped concerningly for both.
Backline Issues and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team undertook a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like its worth.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed 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 not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Summed Up The Problem
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and looped 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.
Bad luck at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his unusual 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 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and hesitating."
The Numbers and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be dismissed after winning 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 lowest recovery numbers per game during his Liverpool career, while defensive actions 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 inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.
A Team Lacking Inspiration
Slot stayed with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing 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 quiet 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 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 rounded keeper Alisson.
Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead
Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the point knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson blessed 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, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled.
But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, assured and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic of the manner in which they have embraced life in the Premier League that they will be frustrated they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.