A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Battles Waning Influence
The glaring focus that has fallen upon one elite Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his subpar performances this campaign - and was relegated to the bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats visited on Wednesday.
But it was leader Virgil van Dijk, a exceptional defensive foundation as Liverpool have secured the complete set of major trophies, whose dip in performance took center stage during the stalemate.
The Experienced Pair and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both agreed to lucrative new two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of securing the futures to a seasoned pair much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that levels have fallen concerningly for both.
Backline Issues and A Costly Refit
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has still to demonstrate anything like value for money.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to lose the air of invincibility he has possessed since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate's collapse in 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 gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Symbolized The Problem
It was captured in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a well-earned lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and averting his body 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 peculiar tendency of turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Bad luck at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to make a decisive move, 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 was impeccable. Every game he was commanding, but right now he's making mistakes and hesitating."
Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's stature must not be dismissed after securing two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a glittering 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 tackles and interceptions are also down on last season.
And, while leadership should not be Van Dijk's sole responsibility alone in a Liverpool team brimming with experience, it was lacking 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 difficult night, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an makeshift forward, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the rule.
A Side Devoid of 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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop turned to him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after opening his account 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 been turned in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a thrilling finale.
A late scare 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 dribbled past keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
Slot and his struggling title-holders 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 slow, labored and lacking in ideas. Even the customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Showings like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has fallen apart.
But full acknowledgment 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 adventurous, confident and a genuine threat.
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 unhappy they left Anfield without adding two more to their tally.
For Slot and Liverpool, it is back to the drawing board.