Tottenham leave out Richarlison as De Zerbi gives injury update
De Zerbi confirmed Richarlison will not face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. The forward remains frozen out after rejecting moves away, with the dispute now between player and club.
Tottenham are tracking Sporting CP attacker Geny Catamo, who has one goal and three assists in five league games. Brighton, Brentford and Sunderland are also interested.
Tottenham head to Liverpool with Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski out, while Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro are doubts. Joe Gomez is fit again for Liverpool.
Jan Paul van Hecke has emerged as Spurs' standout player in a difficult start, helping secure clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Everton after a poor debut at Brentford.
Richarlison posted 'Why?' with a crying emoji after De Zerbi ruled him out of the Liverpool cup tie, deepening Spurs' stand-off after failed exits to Everton and Vasco da Gama.
Pat Nevin compared Spurs loanee Mykhailo Mudryk to Timo Werner, calling him 'a flawed player'. Mudryk is out for up to eight weeks after an ankle injury.
De Zerbi is under pressure with Spurs 17th, winless and goalless after four league games, but a report says sacking him is not currently on the agenda despite the scrutiny.
Rodrigo Bentancur's strong form is increasing competition for Archie Gray at Spurs. Gray impressed again at right-back against Everton, but Bentancur has excelled in midfield.
Richarlison is seeking an amicable Spurs exit after squad exile. De Zerbi said he wanted to leave, the forward disputed that, and enquiries from Spain, Italy and England remain.
De Zerbi said Mohammed Kudus can start against Liverpool after improving physically, but James Maddison is not ready. Richarlison is out, with Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali, Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, Mykhailo Mudryk and Dejan Kulusevski injured.
After replacing Mathys Tel against Everton, Dominic Solanke drew criticism for a poor display in Spurs' 0-0 draw, prompting some fans to rethink Tel's place in the side.
Tottenham have signed 15-year-old defender Gabriel Rigg from West Ham United. The highly rated centre-back or left-back joins Spurs' academy after three years with the Hammers.
