A team is often difficult to detect problems in good times, and a single defeat can expose these hidden dangers. Liverpool's defeat to Forest revealed three major mysteries of the summer transfer window.
Why should Liverpool pursue Gordon with Dias?
Perhaps Dias was looking to leave the club at the time, and Liverpool pursued Gordon in response to his potential departure. However, through the first four Premier League games, even if Dias is not gone, Liverpool management will still pursue Gordon. In the first three rounds, the only one who could create a threat in attack was Dias. He wasn't very fast, but he created plenty of chances for his team with his excellent dribbling breakaways. Salah, as a right winger, no longer has the sharpness that he used to break through the defensive line, and relies more on team-mates and passing. Therefore, it is reluctant to expect him to take on the task of breakthrough again.
In the match against Nottingham Forest, Dias's poor fitness led to a significant reduction in the power of his breakthrough and Liverpool's attack was hampered. Opponents can also set up their defence more evenly and no longer need to focus on Dias, allowing them to defend Szobosloy and Mohamed Salah more effectively. Therefore, Liverpool's pursuit of Gordon is actually to add a new breakthrough point to the left.
Although in the end, Liverpool failed to bring in Gordon due to Newcastle's high price or reluctance to release him, but they have been waiting for the opportunity to pick up the leak. Sure enough, Chiesa came into the spotlight with a low transfer fee and reasonable salary needs, and Liverpool moved quickly. However, it will take time to see if Chiesa can take on the team's breakthrough responsibility after a major injury. The deal is also partly an attempt to meet the expectations of manager Slote and the fans.
Why pursue Zubimendi?
This question is not difficult to explain. Gravenberg was asked to play in the back out of desperation. Despite his excellent passing and playmaking, he is not a natural defensive midfielder after all. He was always a little worse off when it came to interceptions and defending, and even had a poor sense of position on some occasions. For example, when conceding against Nottingham Forest, Callum Hudson-Odoi's goal was linked to Gravenberch's failure to intercept Elanga's pass in time. Therefore, Liverpool are pursuing Zubimendi in order to find a more suitable candidate in the midfield position.
On the question of Szobosloy's physical exertion
What baffles me is why Slote didn't give him a break in the first three rounds and give Elliott some chances, given that Szobosloy values Szobosloy's place so much? Now that Elliott is injured and Szobosloy is again an extremely fit-dependent player, it is difficult for him to be as sharp as he was when his fitness drops. Today, there are few suitable replacements on the bench and Szobosloy has to stay on the pitch even if he is out of form. The only explanation may be that Slote has just entered the Premier League and lacks a full understanding of the intensity and physical exertion of the game, which will take time to make up for this experience.