As with Salah, a participant of Van Dijk’s pedigree should not be written off after successful two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups in a stellar Liverpool profession.

He has, although, seemed a shadow of his common imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries per recreation throughout his Liverpool profession, whereas tackles and interceptions are additionally down on final season.

And, whereas management shouldn’t be Van Dijk’s protect alone in a Liverpool group filled with expertise, it was lacking right here. No-one was inspiring a group that after once more seemed misplaced to seize the sport by the scruff of the neck.

Van Dijk’s poor show, which ended with him getting used because the determined measure of appearing as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool efficiency – which made Sunday’s win at West Ham appear to be the exception reasonably than the rule.

Slot stayed with the facet that ended a run of 9 losses in 12 video games at London Stadium, Salah as soon as extra watching from the sidelines.

The Egyptian emerged initially of the second half because the Kop seemed to him for inspiration. It by no means got here, with £125m Alexander Isak additionally nameless after getting off the mark together with his first league objective for Liverpool on Sunday.

Talking about Salah not beginning Liverpool‘s final two video games, Van Dijk stated: “It isn’t like you might have limitless credit score. Everybody has to carry out.

“All of us need the perfect for the membership. I’m fairly certain Mo will nonetheless be an enormous a part of what we try to realize as a result of he’s a tremendous participant and he has proven it constantly.

“He wants us to be in our greatest form and we’d like him. I would like him round as one of many leaders. I am not fearful.”

Slot would have been beneath much more strain had Florian Wirtz’s 81st-minute shot not deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to arrange what Liverpool hoped can be a grandstand end.

Late drama got here – however on the different finish. Liverpool had been solely spared embarrassment in stoppage time when Federico Chiesa’s excellent restoration run allowed him to show Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor’s shot off the road after he had rounded keeper Alisson.