🔗 Share this article A Shadow of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Grapples With Waning Influence The unforgiving spotlight that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night. The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major prizes, whose struggles became the focus during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the prospect of handing contracts to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start. Truly, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that performance has dipped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability 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 struggled badly, 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 captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that struck 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 cost. Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. 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 commanding, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself." Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a faded version 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 lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the initiative. Van Dijk's difficult night, 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 anomaly rather than the rule. Liverpool Without Ideas Slot kept faith with the side that halted 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 looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, 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 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 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 rounded keeper Alisson. Credit Due and The Road Forward Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to take a point 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 lethargic, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled. But full acknowledgment 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 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 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 back to the drawing board.
The unforgiving spotlight that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night. The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his struggles this campaign - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major prizes, whose struggles became the focus during the draw. The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the prospect of handing contracts to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start. Truly, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that performance has dipped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the aura of invulnerability 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 struggled badly, 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 captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before retreating and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that struck 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 cost. Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just backs off. 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 commanding, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself." Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be dismissed after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a faded version 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 lacking here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked bewildered to grab the game by the initiative. Van Dijk's difficult night, 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 anomaly rather than the rule. Liverpool Without Ideas Slot kept faith with the side that halted 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 looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, 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 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 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 rounded keeper Alisson. Credit Due and The Road Forward Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to take a point 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 lethargic, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled. But full acknowledgment 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 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 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 back to the drawing board.