🔗 Share this article A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Fights A Dip in Form The glaring attention that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night. Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his subpar performances this campaign - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the 1-1 draw. The Veteran Duo and New Deals Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much nearer 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 standards have dropped concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch 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 esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. An Incident That Encapsulated The Issue It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and floated 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 disadvantage. Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself." The Numbers 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 glittering Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. A Side Devoid of Inspiration 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 pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale. 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 rounded keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and The Road Forward Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to take a point 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 sluggish, labored and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings 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 notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, confident 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 adapted to 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 back to the drawing board.
The glaring attention that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night. Mohamed Salah has come under fire for his subpar performances this campaign - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of major trophies, whose struggles became the focus during the 1-1 draw. The Veteran Duo and New Deals Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the notion of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much nearer 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 standards have dropped concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and Summer Spending Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee began a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch 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 esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. An Incident That Encapsulated The Issue It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before backing away and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that hit him and floated 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 disadvantage. Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's erring and second-guessing himself." The Numbers 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 glittering Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. A Side Devoid of Inspiration 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 pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale. 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 rounded keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and The Road Forward Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to take a point 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 sluggish, labored and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried little conviction. Showings 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 notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the excellent coaching of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, confident 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 adapted to 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 back to the drawing board.