A Diminished Presence of His Dominant Stature - Liverpool's Captain Fights A Dip in Form
The glaring spotlight that has been trained on one global Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield's most recent desperate night.
The Egyptian forward has been under scrutiny for his struggles this season - and was consigned to the sidelines for the consecutive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was skipper Virgil van Dijk, a unmatched defensive bedrock as Liverpool have collected the complete set of major trophies, whose dip in performance took center stage during the draw.
The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool question asked at the prospect of handing contracts to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a reason for joy - but now there is no escaping the stark fact that standards have dropped worryingly for both.
A Leaky Defense and A Major Overhaul
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since manager Arne Slot and the club's scouting department began a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
Simultaneously, Van Dijk has started to forfeit the air of invincibility he has held since his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has received little support by fellow defender Ibrahima Konate's dramatic dip, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as demonstrated by his desperate handball that gave away a penalty in the heavyweight Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
A Moment That Summed Up The Issue
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 turning his back on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and drifted out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such undoubted greatness, Van Dijk has an curious trait of shying away 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 taking advantage.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops off. It's the wrong decision. 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 second-guessing himself."
Statistical Decline and A Lack of Command
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk's caliber 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 lowest recovery numbers 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 brimming with 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 subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was indicative of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the outlier rather than the standard.
A Team Devoid of Ideas
Slot kept faith with the side that ended 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 turned 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 greater 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 superb tracking back allowed him to turn Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor's shot off the line after he had rounded keeper Alisson.
Credit Due and Looking Ahead
Slot and his fading champions ultimately had to settle for a draw knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson lucky 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 customary late surge after the equaliser carried little conviction. Displays 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 reaping the benefits for a summer of serious ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the fine work of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were proactive, self-believing 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 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 back to the drawing board.