🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Dominant Stature - Van Dijk Fights Decline The intense focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was placed on the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the array of top honors, whose struggles came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of offering extensions to a seasoned pair much approaching the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Encapsulated The Problem It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops 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 dominant, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself." The Numbers and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature 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 shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the poest ball recovery rate per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats 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 missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the initiative. 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 deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard. Liverpool Devoid of 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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not taken a deflection off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish. A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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. Credit Due and The Road Forward Slot and his fading 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 lethargic, ponderous and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Performances 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, self-believing and dangerous. 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 intense focus that has centered around one world-class Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's fresh frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this campaign - and was placed on the sidelines for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have swept up the array of top honors, whose struggles came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Experienced Pair and Renewed Terms Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of offering extensions to a seasoned pair much approaching the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that levels have fallen alarmingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer overhaul that has yet to prove anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the sense of being untouchable he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the renowned star has also struggled badly, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Encapsulated The Problem It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage. Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops 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 dominant, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself." The Numbers and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature 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 shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the poest ball recovery rate per game during his Liverpool career, while key defensive stats 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 missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the initiative. 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 deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the standard. Liverpool Devoid of 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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also anonymous after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not taken a deflection off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a grandstand finish. A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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. Credit Due and The Road Forward Slot and his fading 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 lethargic, ponderous and short on invention. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Performances 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, self-believing and dangerous. 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.