Tottenham XI vs Liverpool: De Zerbi Faces Injury Challenges

Tottenham head to Anfield tonight patched up, short on firepower and still carrying the weight of a 15-year winless run on this ground.

They will have to snap that grim sequence without Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro. Both are out of the Carabao Cup third-round tie, stripping Roberto De Zerbi of two key pieces on a night when he can ill afford any more disruption.

Tonali has suffered a minor knock picked up after the goalless draw with Everton, while Porro remains sidelined by the muscular problem that already kept him out at the weekend. For a squad already feeling the effects of a disrupted pre-season, it is another hit.

De Zerbi did at least welcome back Destiny Udogie. Rested as a precaution against Everton, the Italian returns straight to the starting XI and will be asked to bring thrust from left-back in a side that has forgotten how to score.

Two straight 0-0 draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton have left Spurs searching for both goals and belief. Anfield is a harsh place to go hunting for either, yet the Carabao Cup offers a clean line into the season’s first real momentum. Win tonight and they are into the fourth round with something to build on. Lose, and the questions only grow louder.

Richarlison, though, will not be part of any revival. The Brazilian remains frozen out, his exile as stark as ever despite being eligible to play in this competition.

He spent the summer pushing for a move, made it clear he wanted out, and was then omitted from the club’s Premier League squad. A late-window escape never arrived. Richarlison and Spurs explored options right up to the deadline, but nothing materialised and he has been left in limbo, training but not trusted.

De Zerbi made it plain in his pre-match press conference that nothing has changed.

“No, Kulusevski not available. Pedro is still not available. Udogie yes. Richarlison, you already know everything, nothing changed for the Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same,” he said, underlining just how firmly the door remains shut.

Dejan Kulusevski, a long-term absentee, stays out of contention, while youngsters and fringe players are drafted in as Spurs juggle injuries and minutes.

De Zerbi has rotated at Anfield and hinted there could be a role for academy winger Luca Williams-Barnett, even if only off the bench.

“I don't know, Luca. We have to see because many players need to play. Maybe not 90 minutes, 90 minutes, but 30 minutes a real game is important. Yes, there is not Sandro Tonali. I forgot to say because he felt a knock,” he explained, underlining the balancing act between fitness and competitiveness.

The changes are clear in the XI. Martin Dubravka starts in goal. Tosin Adarabioyo makes his first start at the heart of defence. Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher are trusted in midfield to bring energy and control on one of the most hostile stages in English football.

Mathys Tel lines up off the left, with Omar Marmoush leading the line and Mohammed Kudus offering craft and incision in support. It is a side that mixes promise with risk, a team picked with one eye on freshness and the other on survival.

Tottenham XI vs Liverpool

• Dubravka; Gray, Tosin, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher; Kudus, Tel, Marmoush

Subs:

• Kinsky, Robertson, Van Hecke, Maddison, Savio, Fernandes, Solanke, Van de Ven, Davies

Injured:

• Simons, Odobert, Kulusevski, Tonali, Porro, Mudryk

Unavailable:

• Richarlison

Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, under the Anfield lights. For a stretched Tottenham side, this is more than a cup tie. It is a test of depth, resolve and whether De Zerbi’s reshaped squad can finally rewrite their story on Merseyside.