A Diminished Presence of His Imperious Self - Liverpool's Captain Fights A Dip in Form
The intense attention that has fallen upon one global Liverpool icon shifted to another on Anfield's most recent disappointing night.
The Egyptian forward has faced examination for his struggles this season - and was relegated to the bench for the second successive Premier League game as the Black Cats arrived on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive rock as Liverpool have collected the full collection of major prizes, whose poor form took center stage during the stalemate.
The Seasoned Stars and Contract Extensions
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both inked new lucrative two-year deals in the summer, with scarcely a Liverpool eyebrow raised at the notion of offering extensions to a experienced stars much closer to the end of their careers than the start.
Indeed, it was a moment of optimism - but now there is no avoiding the brutal reality that standards have dropped worryingly for both.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Summer Spending
Liverpool have been exposed in defence ever since head coach Arne Slot and the club's recruitment team embarked on a £450m summer rebuild that has not yet shown anything like its worth.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has carried since his £75m transfer 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 great Dutchman has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his rash handball that gave away a penalty in the significant Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
An Incident That Encapsulated The Issue
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk surrendering the ball before standing off and turning away on a 25-yard shot that deflected off him and floated 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 detriment.
Misfortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to take charge, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk surrenders possession and then he just drops 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 imperious, but right now he's making mistakes and second-guessing himself."
Performance Metrics and A Lack of Command
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 illustrious Liverpool career.
He has, though, looked a shadow of his usual commanding presence this season, with the lowest recovery numbers 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team full of experience, it was absent here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked clueless to grab the game by the initiative.
Van Dijk's subpar showing, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure 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 outlier rather than the standard.
A Team Devoid of Inspiration
Slot persisted 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 came on at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It failed to materialize, with £125m Alexander Isak also ineffective after getting off the mark with his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
Slot would have been under greater pressure had Florian Wirtz's 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to set up what Liverpool hoped would be a dramatic ending.
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.
Credit Due and The Road Forward
Slot and his underperforming defending champions ultimately had to settle for a draw knowing it could have been worse, with Alisson fortunate 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 lacking in ideas. Even the traditional late rally after the equaliser carried minimal threat. Performances like this are the reason their title defence has crumbled.
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 excellent coaching of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were positive, self-believing and dangerous.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is indicative of the manner in which they have embraced 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.