🔗 Share this article A Shadow of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Battles Decline The intense attention that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest desperate night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this season - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major prizes, whose struggles came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that standards have dropped alarmingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Summed Up The Problem It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an curious trait 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 uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs 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 was faultless. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and second-guessing himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 faded version of his usual commanding presence this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the rule. Liverpool Without Spark 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 looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, 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 grandstand finish. A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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 beaten keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his fading 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 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 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 serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were adventurous, assured and dangerous. 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 a case of going back to basics.
The intense attention that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's latest desperate night. The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this season - and was consigned to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday. But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive foundation as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major prizes, whose struggles came under the microscope during the stalemate. The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the idea of offering extensions to a veteran duo much nearer to the end of their careers than the start. Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no denying the brutal reality that standards have dropped alarmingly for both. Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Major Overhaul Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a £450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like a good return. Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to shed the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has not been helped by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the renowned star has also fought his own battles, as demonstrated by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. A Moment That Summed Up The Problem It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before backing away and turning away on a 25-yard shot that hit him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson. For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an curious trait 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 uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage. "Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs 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 was faultless. Every game he was imperious, but right now he's slipping up and second-guessing himself." Statistical Decline and A Leadership Void As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed 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 faded version of his usual commanding presence this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 full of experience, it was missing here. No-one was rousing a team that once again looked lost to seize the initiative by the scruff of the neck. Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an makeshift forward, was representative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the rule. Liverpool Without Spark 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 looked to him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, 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 grandstand finish. A late scare came - but at the other end. Liverpool were only avoided defeat 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 beaten keeper Alisson. Praise Deserved and Looking Ahead Slot and his fading 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 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 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 serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris. The Black Cats were adventurous, assured and dangerous. 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 a case of going back to basics.