A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Fights A Dip in Form
The intense spotlight that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool great switched to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night.
The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this season - and was placed on the bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major prizes, whose struggles became the focus during the stalemate.
The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool question asked at the notion of securing the futures to a veteran duo much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no denying the stark fact that levels have fallen concerningly for both.
A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer refit that has yet to prove anything like value for money.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the aura of invulnerability he has possessed since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped 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 had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Symbolized The Issue
It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before standing off and turning away on a 25-yard shot that struck him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's disadvantage.
Bad luck at the conclusion, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his unusual failure to act decisively, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away 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 was faultless. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be discarded after securing 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 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 brimming with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked bewildered to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the emergency option of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the norm.
A Team Lacking Inspiration
Slot persisted with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian came on at the start of the second half as the Kop looked to him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, 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.
Late drama 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.
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 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 lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has crumbled.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, confident and threatening.
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 unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.