🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Van Dijk Fights A Dip in Form The glaring attention that has been trained on one elite Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night. The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the array of top honors, whose dip in performance became the focus during the 1-1 draw. The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that levels have fallen concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Encapsulated 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 backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost. Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his unusual failure to act decisively, 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 hesitating." The Numbers and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be discarded after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual dominant persona 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to grab the game by the initiative. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the norm. Liverpool Without Ideas Slot stayed 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 looked to 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 even more 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. Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's superb tracking back allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had rounded keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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 scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed. But significant praise 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 fine work of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, assured and dangerous. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have adapted to life in the Premier League that they will be frustrated they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally. For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.
The glaring attention that has been trained on one elite Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night. The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his subpar performances this season - and was consigned to the substitutes' bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the array of top honors, whose dip in performance became the focus during the 1-1 draw. The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with barely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that levels have fallen concerningly for both. A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Encapsulated 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 backing away and averting his body on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost. Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his unusual failure to act decisively, 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 hesitating." The Numbers and Missing Leadership As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be discarded after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual dominant persona 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 exclusive domain alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked clueless to grab the game by the initiative. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the norm. Liverpool Without Ideas Slot stayed 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 looked to 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 even more 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. Late drama came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa's superb tracking back allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had rounded keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the 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 scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their title defence has collapsed. But significant praise 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 fine work of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were proactive, assured and dangerous. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have adapted to life in the Premier League that they will be frustrated they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally. For Slot and Liverpool, it is time for reflection.