π Share this article A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence The glaring focus that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was relegated to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the 1-1 draw. The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start. Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that levels have fallen concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a Β£450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has held since his Β£75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Summed Up The Issue It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an curious trait of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and second-guessing himself." The Numbers and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off after securing 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 commanding presence this season, with the worst recoveries 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked bewildered to take control by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Team Lacking Ideas Slot stayed 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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with Β£125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 saved from humiliation in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's excellent defensive sprint allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had beaten keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 sluggish, labored and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed. But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, 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 time for reflection.
The glaring focus that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was relegated to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the 1-1 draw. The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start. Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that levels have fallen concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a Β£450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like value for money. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has held since his Β£75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Summed Up The Issue It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an curious trait of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Misfortune at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and second-guessing himself." The Numbers and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off after securing 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 commanding presence this season, with the worst recoveries 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked bewildered to take control by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Team Lacking Ideas Slot stayed 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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with Β£125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 saved from humiliation in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's excellent defensive sprint allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had beaten keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw 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 sluggish, labored and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed. But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, 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 time for reflection.