🔗 Share this article A Fading Figure of His Commanding Persona - Liverpool's Captain Battles Decline The glaring spotlight that has centered around one elite Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's latest desperate night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw. The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that performance has dipped alarmingly for both. Backline Issues and Summer Spending Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m transfer 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 renowned star has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Encapsulated The Problem It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited 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 undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment. Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself." Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries 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 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 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 representative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. A Team Without Inspiration Slot stayed with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines. The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after getting off the mark 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. Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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 Looking Ahead Slot and his fading champions 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 slow, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed. But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, assured and threatening. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic 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 a case of going back to basics.
The glaring spotlight that has centered around one elite Liverpool icon turned to another on Anfield's latest desperate night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his poor form this campaign - and was placed on the substitutes' bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday. But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major trophies, whose dip in performance came under the microscope during the 1-1 draw. The Veteran Duo and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked high-value two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool concern voiced at the idea of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start. In fact, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that performance has dipped alarmingly for both. Backline Issues and Summer Spending Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team began a £450m summer refit that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m transfer 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 renowned star has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his rash handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Sequence That Encapsulated The Problem It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited 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 undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment. Misfortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted with his uncharacteristic failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just retreats. 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 imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself." Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be discarded after winning two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career. He has, though, looked a pale imitation of his usual imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries 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 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 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 representative of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm. A Team Without Inspiration Slot stayed with the side that ended a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more observing from the sidelines. The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after getting off the mark 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. Stoppage-time tension came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only saved from humiliation 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 Looking Ahead Slot and his fading champions 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 slow, unimaginative and devoid of creativity. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has collapsed. But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of clear intent in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were positive, assured and threatening. Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is symptomatic 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 a case of going back to basics.