A Shadow of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Battles A Dip in Form
The unforgiving attention that has been trained on one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's latest frustrating night.
The Egyptian forward has come under fire for his poor form this season - and was relegated to the sidelines for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive rock as Liverpool have secured the full collection of top honors, whose dip in performance took center stage during the stalemate.
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 notion of securing the futures to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
In fact, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the stark fact that performance has dipped concerningly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has yet to prove anything like its worth.
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 faced additional challenges by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also fought his own battles, as highlighted by his panic-stricken handball that conceded a penalty in the heavy 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 merited lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before retreating and turning away on a 25-yard shot that struck him and floated out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such proven caliber, Van Dijk has an peculiar tendency of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's detriment.
Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk courted 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 couldn't make a mistake. Every game he was dominant, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the poest ball recovery rate per game during his Liverpool career, while defensive actions 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 absent here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to grab the game 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 symptomatic of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the standard.
Liverpool Devoid of Inspiration
Slot stayed 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 was introduced 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 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 taken a deflection off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.
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.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
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, ponderous and short on invention. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried scant belief. Displays like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed.
But significant praise for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being seeing the results for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling of the manner in which they have embraced 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.