Liverpool’s difficult season took another concerning turn as Virgil van Dijk found himself at the centre of criticism during a forgettable 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield. While Mohamed Salah’s dip in form has dominated headlines for weeks, Wednesday night shifted the focus firmly onto Liverpool’s captain.
Van Dijk Under Fire as Errors Multiply
Salah, once again benched for the second straight league game, avoided the initial scrutiny. But Van Dijk, now 34 and on a lucrative extension signed in the summer, endured a night that highlighted just how far his performances have slipped.
Liverpool’s defensive issues have been glaring all season following a massive £450m squad rebuild, and the Dutchman’s aura of invincibility—present since his arrival in 2018—seems to have faded.
His shaky form was on display again as he gifted Sunderland the opening goal. After losing possession, he backed off Chemsdine Talbi, allowing him space to shoot from distance. The ball deflected off Van Dijk and drifted past Alisson, summing up the defender’s night.
“He needs to go to the ball. Van Dijk dropping off created panic everywhere,”
said Steph Houghton on BBC Radio 5 Live.
His habit of turning away from strikes, once rare, has now become a worrying pattern that is repeatedly costing Liverpool at crucial moments.
Leadership Missing, Confidence Fading
Even with partner Ibrahima Konaté also out of form and Milos Kerkez struggling to adapt, Van Dijk’s decline stands out. Statistics show his recoveries, interceptions, and tackles are at their lowest since joining Liverpool. Leadership—once his hallmark—was also notably absent.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp didn’t hold back:
“Last season he was flawless. Now he’s second-guessing himself and making mistakes,”
he told Sky Sports.
By the end of the match, Van Dijk was pushed forward as an emergency striker, underlining the desperation of Liverpool’s approach.
Liverpool’s Broader Problems Exposed
Liverpool’s performance was as uninspiring as their captain’s struggles. Beyond Van Dijk, Salah’s introduction at half-time brought no spark. Expensive summer signing Alexander Isak, fresh off a goal against West Ham, offered little.
Florian Wirtz’s deflected strike gave Liverpool hope late in the second half, but Sunderland came inches away from snatching all three points. Wilson Isidor beat Alisson, but Federico Chiesa saved Liverpool with an incredible last-second goal-line clearance.
Sunderland, on the other hand, played with confidence and ambition, looking nothing like a newly established Premier League side. Guided by Regis le Bris, they now sit sixth with 23 points, and left Anfield disappointed not to have won.
Liverpool, however, were left with more questions. Their display was slow, unimaginative, and lacked urgency—traits that explain why their title defence has collapsed so rapidly.
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