The fierce spotlight that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool legend switched to another on Anfield’s latest desperate night.
Mohamed Salah has been under scrutiny for his poor form this season – and was consigned to the substitutes’ bench for the second successive Premier League game as Sunderland visited on Wednesday.
But it was captain Virgil van Dijk, a peerless defensive bedrock as Liverpool have swept up the full collection of major prizes, whose poor form became the focus of attention during the 1-1 draw.
Van Dijk has not been helped by defensive partner Ibrahima Konate’s collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez failing to settle at left-back. But the great Dutchman has also struggled badly, as proved by his panic-stricken handball that gave away a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
It was encapsulated in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a deserved 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 turning his back on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool’s cost.
Ill fortune at the finale, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his uncharacteristic failure to act decisively, with Sunderland’s Talbi capitalising.
Steph Houghton, the former England captain, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Van Dijk gives the ball away 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.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp added his voice to the criticism when he said on Sky Sports: “Virgil van Dijk last season couldn’t make a mistake. Every game he was imperious, but right now he’s making mistakes and second-guessing himself.”
As with Salah, a player of Van Dijk’s pedigree must not be written off 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 shadow of his usual imperious self 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 preserve alone in a Liverpool team packed with experience, it was missing here. No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Van Dijk’s poor display, which ended with him being used as the desperate measure of acting as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool performance – which made Sunday’s win at West Ham seem like the exception rather than the rule.
Read Phil’s full analysis of Van Dijk here
