Tottenham XI vs Liverpool: De Zerbi’s Challenging Anfield Test

Tottenham head to Anfield chasing a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but they do it with a squad that looks more like a puzzle than a plan.

Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro are both out, a double blow for Roberto De Zerbi before a tie that already carried enough jeopardy. Spurs have not won at Anfield in 15 years. They arrive on the back of two straight 0-0 draws, against Nottingham Forest and Everton, and with fitness issues still rippling through a group that never truly settled in pre-season.

Tonali and Porro sidelined

De Zerbi confirmed Tonali had picked up a minor knock in the draw with Everton, ruling the Italy international out of the trip. Porro, meanwhile, continues to be hampered by the muscular problem that kept him out at the weekend.

The injuries strip away two key pieces from the spine and the right flank of this Spurs side, just when control and composure in a hostile Anfield atmosphere would have been priceless.

There is at least one welcome return. Destiny Udogie, left out against Everton as a precaution, is back and goes straight into the starting XI. The Italian’s energy and aggression down the left will be vital with Spurs rotating heavily elsewhere.

Richarlison frozen out

If the injury list is frustrating, the Richarlison situation is simply stark.

The Brazilian is fit. He is eligible for the Carabao Cup. But he will not be in Merseyside.

Richarlison made it clear all summer he wanted to leave Spurs and, in response, was omitted from the club’s Premier League squad. Player and club tried to engineer a move in the final days of the transfer window. Nothing happened. He stayed. His status did not.

De Zerbi spelled it out before the game: nothing has changed for Richarlison, not in the league and not in the cup. The forward remains on the outside looking in, a former Everton favourite now left in limbo as his team-mates walk out at his old home.

Dejan Kulusevski is another notable absentee, though for very different reasons. The Swede is still not ready to return from his long-term problem, adding to a list that also includes Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhailo Mudryk.

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,” De Zerbi said on Monday.

Rotation and a chance for youth

With bodies missing and fixtures piling up, De Zerbi has turned to rotation. He even hinted there could be minutes for academy winger Luca Williams-Barnett, though the teenager does not start.

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,” the Spurs head coach explained.

The XI he has picked underlines the juggling act.

Martin Dubravka starts in goal, tasked with handling the Anfield roar. Tosin Adarabioyo gets his first start at the heart of defence, alongside Marcos Senesi, with young Ashley Gray and the returning Udogie at full-back.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur anchors alongside Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher, a blend of guile, legs and pressing in a three that will need to work relentlessly without the control Tonali usually offers.

Up front, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel operate off the flanks, with Omar Marmoush leading the line. It is a front three with movement and unpredictability, but also one that has not had many minutes together.

On the bench, De Zerbi can call on James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, as well as Savio, Alejo Veliz Fernandes, Van de Ven, Ben Davies, and defensive cover in Van Hecke and Robertson. Goalkeeper Kinsky provides back-up for Dubravka.

Tottenham starting XI vs Liverpool

Tottenham XI: 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, at Anfield, live on Sky Sports and ITV4.

A patched-up squad, a hostile ground, a cup tie with little margin for error. If Spurs are going to reset their season, there are far easier places to start than here.