A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Van Dijk Grapples With Decline
The unforgiving attention that has centered around one world-class Liverpool legend shifted to another on Anfield's fresh disappointing night.
The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his subpar performances this season - and was relegated to the bench for the second straight Premier League game as Sunderland arrived on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of top honors, whose poor form came under the microscope during the draw.
The Seasoned Stars and Renewed Terms
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the prospect of offering extensions to a veteran duo much approaching 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 standards have dropped alarmingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee embarked on a ยฃ450m summer refit that has not yet shown anything like its worth.
Concurrently, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the aura of invulnerability he has carried since his ยฃ75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's loss of form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also struggled badly, as highlighted by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Symbolized The Issue
It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk giving the ball away before standing off and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and drifted 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.
Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk provoked with his atypical failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi seizing the moment.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just backs off. It's the mistake. 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 commanding, but right now he's slipping up and hesitating."
The Numbers and Missing Leadership
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's pedigree must not be written off after claiming 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 dominant persona 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 packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was motivating a team that once again looked lost to take control by the throat.
Van Dijk's poor display, which ended with him being used as the last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was indicative of a deeply underwhelming Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the norm.
A Side Lacking 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 was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It was not forthcoming, with ยฃ125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after scoring his first with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under increased scrutiny had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not taken a deflection 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 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 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, ponderous and short on invention. Even the typical final push after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings like this are the reason their defense of their crown has collapsed.
But full acknowledgment for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits 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 symptomatic of the manner in which they have grown into 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.