The glaring attention that has been trained on one world-class Liverpool great turned to another on Anfield's latest desperate night.
Mohamed Salah has faced examination for his struggles this campaign - and was relegated to the sidelines 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 array of top honors, whose dip in performance took center stage during the 1-1 draw.
Van Dijk, 34, and Salah, 33, both signed high-value two-year deals in the summer, with not one Liverpool eyebrow raised at the idea of offering extensions to a experienced stars much nearer to the end of their careers than the start.
Truly, it was a cause of celebration - but now there is no avoiding the harsh truth that standards have dropped alarmingly for both.
Liverpool have been susceptible in defence ever since boss Arne Slot and the club's transfer committee undertook a £450m summer overhaul that has still to demonstrate anything like a good return.
At the same time, Van Dijk has started to shed the sense of being untouchable he has possessed since his £75m switch from Southampton in January 2018.
Van Dijk has faced additional challenges by center-back colleague Ibrahima Konate's collapse in form, along with Milos Kerkez not finding his feet at left-back. But the esteemed defender has also had significant difficulties, as proved by his rash handball that resulted in a penalty in the heavy Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
It was exemplified in the 67th minute on Wednesday when Chemsdine Talbi gave Sunderland a merited lead, Van Dijk losing possession before retreating and turning his back on a 25-yard shot that struck him and looped out of the reach of goalkeeper Alisson.
For a defender of such unquestionable quality, Van Dijk has an unusual habit of shying away on the ball, sometimes to Liverpool's cost.
Ill fortune at the end, yes, but it was a situation Van Dijk invited with his unusual failure to make a decisive move, Sunderland's Talbi taking advantage.
"Van Dijk gives the ball away and then he just retreats. It's the incorrect choice. 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 imperious, but right now he's slipping up and doubting himself."
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 pale imitation of his usual commanding presence this season, with the poest ball recovery rate 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 full of experience, it was lacking here. No-one was inspiring 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 last resort of acting as an last-ditch attacker, was symptomatic of a distinctly poor Liverpool performance - which made Sunday's win at West Ham seem like the anomaly rather than the rule.
Slot kept faith with the side that stopped a run of nine losses in 12 games at London Stadium, Salah once more starting on the sidelines.
The Egyptian was introduced at the start of the second half as the Kop pinned hopes on him for inspiration. It never came, with £125m Alexander Isak also quiet after scoring his first 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 grandstand finish.
Late drama 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.
Slot and his struggling title-holders ultimately had to accept the point 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 customary late surge after the equaliser carried scant belief. Performances like this are the reason their attempt to retain the title has fallen apart.
But huge credit for the Reds' struggles on Wednesday must be given to Sunderland, who are being reaping the benefits for a summer of notable ambition in the transfer market, coupled with the superb management of Regis le Bris.
The Black Cats were adventurous, self-believing and threatening.
Sunderland are now sixth in the Premier League with 23 points. It is telling 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.
Marlon Vance is a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets, specializing in data-driven predictions and strategy development.
