Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has backed his players to overcome their early-season scoring problems as they prepare to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Spurs have yet to score in the Premier League this season, but De Zerbi insists he has enough attacking quality within his squad to change their fortunes.
The Italian admitted Tottenham must improve in the final third after failing to convert their opportunities, particularly during the opening stages of their recent matches.
De Zerbi on Spurs’ difficult start
“No, I’m sorry, but we have the qualities enough to score goals and we had on Saturday the chance, the situation good enough to score,” De Zerbi said.
He blamed some of the team’s struggles on rushed decisions and a failure to make the most of promising attacking situations.
“Sometimes we didn’t shoot. We didn’t make the best decision. Maybe we played with a rush. We didn’t take the best decision, but the quality of the players is clear for me, and my responsibility is to work better, to analyse the details when we made mistakes and to improve.”
De Zerbi also challenged his attacking players to make more runs into dangerous areas and contribute more consistently around the opposition penalty box.
He pointed to Robertson’s crosses during Tottenham’s recent game and noted that midfielder Mateus Fernandes was not arriving in the box often enough to attack them.
“My style has been to score goals, to attack and I don’t want to change,” he added.
The Spurs boss remains confident in the project despite the club’s difficult start, insisting the squad has been working well since becoming complete shortly before the Everton match.
“We didn’t win any games so far, yes. We have to improve. We are sorry. We are disappointed for that, but I think also we have other positive things,” he said.
De Zerbi revealed that Tottenham’s coaching staff are working on individual video clips to help players improve their decision-making in the final third.
He believes small improvements in passing, movement and finishing could make a significant difference.
“There are many, many chances where just one different detail, just better passes, just better decisions and it would change the history of that game,” he said.
Richarlison remains unavailable
Richarlison will not feature against Liverpool despite his impressive scoring record against the Reds.
De Zerbi confirmed that the Brazilian remains unavailable, while Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro are also out. Destiny Udogie, however, is available for selection.
The manager was also questioned about Richarlison’s situation after the forward was left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad.
De Zerbi revealed that he had attempted to convince the striker to remain at the club but said the matter is now between Richarlison and Tottenham.
“What I’ve done at the beginning of this season has been to speak with him and propose an extension of the contract. If he says no, then thank you, I’m finished my job,” he said.
He later stressed that he did not want to disclose details of the dispute.
“I said last press conference, I know what happened in the last 45 days. It’s not right if I explained. It’s not my behaviour. It’s the relationship and the problem is with the player and the club.”
Maddison and youngsters in contention
De Zerbi also provided an update on James Maddison, who has not started a competitive match since last year.
The Spurs manager said the England international remains an important player but needs to continue improving his physical condition before returning to full competitive action.
Tottenham could also hand opportunities to younger players, with Luca Williams-Barnett and Malachi Hardy among those potentially involved.
De Zerbi indicated that some squad members who have not played regularly could be given minutes, although he does not expect every player to necessarily complete 90 minutes.
Sandro Tonali will miss the match after picking up a knock.
De Zerbi targeting cup progress
With Tottenham not involved in European competition this season, De Zerbi is keen for his side to make a strong run in both domestic cup competitions.
“I would like to go far in the Carabao and FA Cup,” he said.
The manager wants Tottenham to approach the Carabao Cup with the same intensity they would show in the Premier League, while also improving their attacking output.
“I would like to play with the same attitude of Premier League and maybe score some goals more, but the attitude and the spirit, I want to see the same.”
The trip to Anfield also carries personal significance for De Zerbi. His first match in English football came against Liverpool during his time at Brighton, ending in a 3-3 draw.
However, he believes Tottenham’s current situation is different from the one he inherited at Brighton because he is rebuilding a squad and establishing a new identity.
“This season we have to restart and rebuild everything, so it’s different.”
Spurs will therefore head to Anfield looking not only for a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but also for the attacking breakthrough De Zerbi believes could provide the catalyst for his team’s season.
