De Zerbi insists Tottenham are ‘in the right way’ after Carabao Cup exit
Tottenham Hotspur's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi watches the players from the touchline during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north west England on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Roberto De Zerbi spoke about a 3-1 defeat for Tottenham in the Carabao Cup third round.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed a victory for Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday evening, heaping more pressure on the Italian head coach.
·‘We have to find the spark’
Spurs are one of only two teams in the Premier League without a goal across their first four fixtures.
Conor Gallagher got on the scoresheet in this game, while Lucas Bergvall and Mohamed Kudus should have done better with service from Destiny Udogie as de Zerbi discussed the overall display.
“We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, we have to finish better in a clear situation. We are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated with the result; I think it's unfair. But we have to accept it and be stronger than this unlucky moment. I'm honest with myself and honest with you.
“I think in these five or six games we have been, for sure, not lucky with Newcastle United , with Everton , even with Nottingham and tonight as well. We have to improve a lot of things because the first goal we conceded, we didn't defend in the right way. In the second goal, we could have been closer with Gakpo, but we have to understand if we are on the right track or not. I think, watching the game, the last three or four games, maybe until the 60th minute against Newcastle, I think we are on the right track.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Cody Gakpo of Liverpool scores his team’s second goal under pressure from Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Cody Gakpo of Liverpool scores his team’s second goal under pressure from Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
“I believe in my players. I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players, and when we arrive to find the click, win a game, I think we enjoy with these players because the qualities of the players are incredible - have a look at Marmoush, Savio, Kudus, Lucas Bergvall , Mateus Fernandes , Robertson, don't forget Pedro Porro , Dominic Solanke ... Solanke top; he's a good player. It's a tough moment, but we have to be stronger to prepare our best for the next game with Aston Villa and find this click.
"I don't know if the click is Saturday or not, but we have to find La Scintilla (the spark) because we have the qualities enough to score many goals with these players."