Roberto De Zerbi has been called out by Tottenham forward Richarlison, with the Brazilian hoping to play against Liverpool at Anfield, but being brutally snubbed
Richarlison is eager to play for Tottenham but has been frozen out by Roberto De Zerbi
Richarlison is eager to play for Tottenham but has been frozen out by Roberto De Zerbi(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Richarlison has publicly questioned Roberto De Zerbi's decision to leave him out of Tottenham's squad to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, as the feud at the London club turns from bad to worse.
De Zerbi hinted that he could field a completely new starting lineup on Tuesday when Tottenham travels to Anfield to face Liverpool. While De Zerbi's claim sparked speculation that Richarlison could feature, the head coach has since insisted that the Brazilian is not part of his plans.
Richarlison attempted to join Everton this summer, and also saw deals to Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama collapse. He was not named to De Zerbi's 25-man Premier League player list for this season, but Richarlison doesn't understand why he can't play on Tuesday.
The Richarlison situation has been chaotic, with the player offering to terminate his contract to secure a move elsewhere. After failing to land a move before the deadline, Richarlison is currently stuck at Tottenham without a solution in sight.
While the Brazilian is ineligible to play in the Premier League, he is free for selection to face Liverpool. Still, De Zerbi is taking no prisoners, and Richarlison responded on social media.
De Zerbi said to reporters, "Richarlison will not play even if he's available." Richarlison then posted the quotes on his Instagram story and wrote, "Why?"
Richarlison reacted to De Zerbi's decision on social media
Richarlison reacted to De Zerbi's decision on social media(Image: @Richarlison / Instagram)
Tottenham has made a disastrous start to the season and has yet to score a goal in four games. Richarlison has a prolific record against Liverpool, scoring four in the last seven meetings, but De Zerbi has put his foot down.
"Richarlison, you already know everything, and nothing changes for the Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same," De Zerbi said.
"I stay in the middle, and I can't say nothing more because it is not my job. I can answer about the result and the players in the squad, the offensive phase, the defensive phase, but not for other things.
De Zerbi and Tottenham have made a terrible start to the season
De Zerbi and Tottenham have made a terrible start to the season(Image: Getty Images)
"What I have done at the beginning of this season has been to speak with him and to propose an extension of the contract. If he said, 'No, thank you,' I finished my job.
"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 behavior. The relationship, the problem is between the player and the club.
"I stay within the club. It's coach and club together. At the start of this season, I spoke to him many times to convince him to stay, but he didn't want to. I can't go every day to pray for him to stay."
De Zerbi is already feeling the pressure after making an awful start to the season, after barely keeping Tottenham in the Premier League last year. Liverpool also needs to bounce back with a strong performance after a dismal 0-0 draw at home to Fulham on Saturday.