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, regarded a shadow of his normal imperious self this season, with the worst recoveries per sport 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 staff full of expertise, it was lacking right here. No-one was inspiring a staff that after once more regarded 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 performing as an emergency striker, was symptomatic of a horribly mediocre Liverpool efficiency – which made Sunday’s win at West Ham look like the exception relatively 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 at the beginning of the second half because the Kop regarded to him for inspiration. It by no means got here, with £125m Alexander Isak additionally nameless after getting off the mark along with his first league aim for Liverpool on Sunday.

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

“All of us need the perfect for the membership. I’m fairly positive Mo will nonetheless be a giant a part of what we try to attain as a result of he’s an incredible participant and he has proven it persistently.

“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 underneath 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 have 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.