Tottenham Faces Injury Setbacks Ahead of Carabao Cup Clash at Anfield

Tottenham’s Carabao Cup trip to Anfield has been hit by a double injury setback, with Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro both ruled out and Richarlison still frozen out of the picture.

Spurs head to Liverpool tonight chasing a place in the fourth round and a badly needed jolt of confidence. Two straight 0-0 draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton have stalled their early-season rhythm, and Anfield has not been a happy hunting ground: Tottenham have not won there in 15 years.

Now they must try to change that without two key pieces.

Tonali and Porro ruled out

Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Tonali picked up a minor knock in the goalless draw with Everton, while Porro continues to battle the muscular problem that already kept him out at the weekend. For a squad already feeling the strain of a disrupted pre-season, it is another unwelcome twist.

There is at least one boost. Destiny Udogie, left out against Everton as a precaution, is back and goes straight into the starting XI at Anfield.

Richarlison left at home

One situation remains firmly stuck. Richarlison, though eligible for the Carabao Cup, has again been left out. The Brazilian made it clear over the summer he wanted to leave, and Spurs responded by omitting him from their Premier League squad.

Player and club tried to engineer an exit in the final days of the transfer window. Nothing materialised. The result is a high-profile forward in limbo, and a manager who has drawn a hard line.

De Zerbi confirmed Richarlison would not travel to Merseyside and that long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski is still not ready to return.

“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,” the Spurs boss said on Monday.

Rotation and a chance for youth

De Zerbi has shuffled his pack for the tie and hinted that academy winger Luca Williams-Barnett could be involved from the bench, if only briefly.

“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 message is clear: this is a night for managing minutes as well as chasing a result.

In goal, Martin Dubravka starts. Tosin Adarabioyo makes his first start for the club, with Marcos Senesi and Udogie completing the back line alongside Gray. In midfield, Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher join Rodrigo Bentancur, offering legs and energy in the centre of the pitch.

Mathys Tel starts off the left, Mohammed Kudus supports from the right, and Omar Marmoush leads the line in a front three that will be asked to press, harry and finally find a cutting edge that has deserted Spurs in recent weeks.

Tottenham 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 tonight at Anfield, live on Sky Sports and ITV4. For De Zerbi and Tottenham, it is more than just a cup tie. It is a test of depth, resolve and whether this reshaped squad can finally rip up that 15-year script on Merseyside.