🔗 Share this article A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Battles Decline The intense spotlight that has centered around one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the complete set of major trophies, whose dip in performance took center stage during the 1-1 draw. The Experienced Pair and New Deals Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that standards have dropped worryingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Summed Up The Problem It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off 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. Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops off. It's the incorrect choice. 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 making mistakes and doubting himself." The Numbers and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence 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 lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to take control by the initiative. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard. Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration Slot persisted 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 looked to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in 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 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 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 blessed 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, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title 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 superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and a genuine threat. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have grown into 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 spotlight that has centered around one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night. Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his poor form this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the complete set of major trophies, whose dip in performance took center stage during the 1-1 draw. The Experienced Pair and New Deals Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool eyebrow raised at the prospect of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that standards have dropped worryingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m move from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Summed Up The Problem It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off 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. Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops off. It's the incorrect choice. 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 making mistakes and doubting himself." The Numbers and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence 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 lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked bewildered to take control by the initiative. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard. Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration Slot persisted 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 looked to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in 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 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 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 blessed 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, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title 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 superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and a genuine threat. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have grown into 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.