🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Fights Waning Influence The glaring attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his poor form this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the array of major trophies, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw. The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one 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. Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the harsh truth that standards have dropped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as proved by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Symbolized The Problem It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off 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 proven caliber, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment. Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself." Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off after claiming 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 dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative. Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard. A Side Lacking Inspiration Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines. The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 thrilling finale. Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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. Credit Due and The Road Forward 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 lethargic, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has crumbled. But huge credit 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 adventurous, 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 time for reflection.
The glaring attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night. The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his poor form this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland came to town on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have swept up the array of major trophies, whose poor form came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw. The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one 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. Truly, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the harsh truth that standards have dropped worryingly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like its worth. Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has carried since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as proved by his desperate handball that resulted in a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Symbolized The Problem It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off 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 proven caliber, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment. Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi capitalising. "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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's making mistakes and doubting himself." Performance Metrics and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber must not be written off after claiming 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 dominant persona this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to seize the initiative by the initiative. Van Dijk's difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard. A Side Lacking Inspiration Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines. The Egyptian emerged at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective 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 thrilling finale. Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment 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. Credit Due and The Road Forward 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 lethargic, ponderous and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Displays like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has crumbled. But huge credit 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 adventurous, 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 time for reflection.