Tottenham XI vs Liverpool: Injury Struggles and Predictions for Anfield Clash

Tottenham head to Anfield tonight stripped of two key names and still carrying the weight of a 15-year winless run on Merseyside in their luggage.

Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro have both been ruled out of the Carabao Cup third-round clash with Liverpool, deepening Roberto De Zerbi’s selection problems at a time when Spurs are already short of rhythm and confidence.

Two goalless draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton have stalled early-season optimism. Spurs need a spark. Instead, they travel to one of the most unforgiving grounds in the country with a squad patched together after a disrupted pre-season and a mounting injury list.

Double blow for De Zerbi

Tonali’s absence is a fresh setback. De Zerbi confirmed the Italian midfielder picked up a minor knock in the draw with Everton and will not be risked at Anfield. Porro, meanwhile, continues to battle the muscular problem that kept him out at the weekend.

The right-back’s attacking thrust has been central to Spurs’ build-up play under De Zerbi. Losing both his passing range in midfield and Porro’s energy out wide strips significant personality from the side.

There is at least one positive. Destiny Udogie returns after being left out against Everton as a precaution, and is expected to come straight back into the starting XI.

Richarlison still frozen out

If the injury situation is frustrating, the Richarlison saga remains downright awkward.

The Brazilian is eligible to play in the Carabao Cup, but he will not be on the plane to Merseyside. De Zerbi made it clear: nothing has changed.

Richarlison pushed hard for a move in the final days of the transfer window. Tottenham were open to an exit, he was omitted from the club’s Premier League squad, and yet no deal materialised. The former Everton forward is now stuck in limbo, training but not involved, a high-profile exile as Spurs battle on without him.

“Richarlison, you already know everything, nothing changed for the Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same,” De Zerbi said, underlining just how firmly the door remains shut for now.

Dejan Kulusevski, another long-term absentee, is still not ready to return, further narrowing the manager’s attacking options.

Youth, rotation and tired legs

This is a cup tie that demands intensity, but De Zerbi knows he cannot simply throw out his strongest XI and hope for the best. Too many players are short of full match sharpness.

The Italian admitted that Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher and Mohammed Kudus are all still building towards peak condition. Minutes need managing. Risks need weighing.

That reality opens the door, at least slightly, for the club’s youngsters. Academy winger Luca Williams-Barnett is in the frame for some involvement, with De Zerbi hinting he could hand the teenager a taste of senior football if the game allows.

“Many players need to play. Maybe not 90 minutes, but 30 minutes, a real game is important,” he said, underlining the balancing act between development, fitness and the need for a result.

Predicted Tottenham XI

Rotation is expected, but this is no throwaway fixture for Spurs. The chance to punch through to the fourth round, and to do it at a ground where they have not won since 2009, carries obvious weight.

De Zerbi is likely to lean on experience where he can, while still spreading the workload:

Predicted Tottenham XI: Dubravka; Gray, Tosin, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher; Kudus, Solanke, Marmoush.

Injured: Simons, Odobert, Kulusevski, Tonali, Porro, Mudryk

Unavailable: Richarlison

Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, under the lights at Anfield.

A patched-up Spurs, a restless fanbase, a manager juggling injuries and politics — if they are going to finally rip up that 15-year script on Merseyside, tonight would be quite a place to start.