🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Grapples With Waning Influence The glaring focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the array of major trophies, whose poor form 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 idea of handing contracts to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Encapsulated The Struggle It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession 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 his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment. "Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's erring and hesitating." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 commanding presence 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. Liverpool Lacking Inspiration Slot stayed with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching from the sidelines. The Egyptian emerged 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 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 avoided defeat 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson. Credit Due and Looking Ahead Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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, unimaginative and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has fallen apart. But full acknowledgment 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 fine work of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were adventurous, confident and dangerous. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have embraced 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 time for reflection.
The glaring focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's most recent frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats came to town on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the array of major trophies, whose poor form 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 idea of handing contracts to a veteran duo much approaching the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that levels have fallen worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Encapsulated The Struggle It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession 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 his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment. "Van Dijk loses the ball and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's erring and hesitating." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 commanding presence 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. Liverpool Lacking Inspiration Slot stayed with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more watching from the sidelines. The Egyptian emerged 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 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 avoided defeat 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson. Credit Due and Looking Ahead Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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, unimaginative and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has fallen apart. But full acknowledgment 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 fine work of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were adventurous, confident and dangerous. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have embraced 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 time for reflection.