🔗 Share this article A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Grapples With Decline The unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the array of major trophies, whose dip in performance became the focus during the draw. The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool question asked at the notion of handing contracts to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that standards have dropped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like its worth. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m switch 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 esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before standing off and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost. Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs 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 imperious, but right now he's erring and doubting himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree 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 pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries 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 missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the throat. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Side Lacking Spark 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 looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 deflected in 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 spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's outstanding recovery run 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 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 slow, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has fallen apart. But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and threatening. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic 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 a case of going back to basics.
The unforgiving attention that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the array of major trophies, whose dip in performance became the focus during the draw. The Veteran Duo and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool question asked at the notion of handing contracts to a experienced stars much approaching the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that standards have dropped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like its worth. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m switch 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 esteemed defender has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Encapsulated The Issue It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before standing off and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost. Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs 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 imperious, but right now he's erring and doubting himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree 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 pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries 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 missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the throat. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the rule. A Side Lacking Spark 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 looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 deflected in 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 spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's outstanding recovery run 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 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 slow, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has fallen apart. But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being rewarded for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and threatening. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic 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 a case of going back to basics.