Key Points
- League Cup Exit: Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup third round, marking their fourth consecutive match without a victory.
- Premier League Struggles: Spurs sit near the bottom of the English Premier League table, having gathered just two points from their opening four matches of the campaign.
- Managerial Defiance: Head coach Roberto De Zerbi stated that the squad is currently “suffering” due to disappointing results, but firmly believes the team will score heavily and win matches once they “click.”
- Significant Rebuild: The club has backed De Zerbi with over £300 million in summer transfer spending, bringing in marquee recruits such as Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio, Omar Marmoush, and Mykhailo Mudryk.
- Anfield Reaction: Despite the defeat, De Zerbi maintained that his squad showed the correct attitude and work rate, describing the cup exit as an unfair result given their early dominance.
Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) September 16, 2026 — Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi remains firmly convinced that his squad will score a abundance of goals and secure consistent victories once his new-look team finds its rhythm, despite suffering a 3-1 elimination against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round at Anfield.
As reported by Andy Hunter of The Guardian, De Zerbi voiced his frustration over the current stretch of poor results but stood by his tactical vision and squad depth. The midweek cup loss extended Tottenham’s winless run to four matches across all competitions, further compounding a difficult start to the domestic campaign where the North London outfit has collected just two points from their opening four Premier League fixtures.
“We are suffering because the results are our life. If we lose, we are sorry, we are sad, we are disappointed, we are frustrated,”
De Zerbi stated to Spurs’ official club channels following the defeat at Anfield.
“It’s tough. But it’s the first moment, the first part of this new project.”
How did Liverpool capitalise on Tottenham Hotspur’s missed opportunities?
In coverage provided by Reuters, De Zerbi emphasised that the foundational attitude of his team is not the issue troubling the club. The Italian tactician took charge in March, steering Tottenham through a tense relegation battle last term before receiving substantial financial backing from the board over the summer transfer window.
Tottenham spent upwards of £300 million ($404 million) to rebuild the squad, completing high-profile signings including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio, Omar Marmoush, and Mykhailo Mudryk. However, those investments have yet to yield immediate success on the pitch, with Spurs failing to score in four consecutive Premier League encounters prior to midweek.
“I think when we make the click … but the click is not mentality, because today we showed the right mentality, the right behavior and we played until the end of the game,” De Zerbi said.
“I think we are going to win many games and score many goals.”
As detailed by Andy Hunter of The Guardian, Tottenham started the match strongly, creating several high-quality scoring opportunities through Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus that were saved or squandered. Liverpool took full advantage of Tottenham’s wastefulness. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for the hosts following a sharp run by Rio Ngumoha, before doubling the lead early in the second half.
Although Conor Gallagher pulled a goal back for the visitors by heading home a corner from Mateus Fernandes, Liverpool sealed the 3-1 victory in stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a long-range strike past keeper Martin Dubravka.
As reported by Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo, De Zerbi argued post-match that the scoreline did not accurately reflect the balance of play on the pitch.
“We have to shoot more, we have to shoot better and we have to finish better the clear situations,”
De Zerbi remarked to press reporters.
“I think it is unfair, but we have to be stronger in these unlucky moments. In these five or six games we have not been lucky. We have to improve a lot of things, but we are in the right way.”
Background of the particular development
The pressure currently surrounding Tottenham Hotspur stems directly from a tumultuous 18-month period of instability both on and off the pitch. During the 2024-25 season, Tottenham endured a severe slump under previous manager Thomas Frank, culminating in his dismissal in February after a string of poor performances left the club dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Interim boss Igor Tudor briefly took charge but managed just one point from five top-flight matches, forcing the hierarchy to appoint Roberto De Zerbi in March 2026 to execute an emergency rescue mission. De Zerbi ultimately guided the club to top-flight survival on the final day of the season, finishing just two points above the drop zone.
Following survival, the Spurs hierarchy committed to an extensive squad overhaul led by De Zerbi, committing over £300 million in transfer fees to restructure an aging lineup. Key acquisitions were brought in to solve chronic goalscoring deficiencies, most notably with £55 million striker Dominic Solanke working his way back to full fitness alongside new attacking arrivals like Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Kudus.
However, integration challenges, tactical adjustments, and key injury absences—including ongoing lay-offs for James Maddison and Pedro Porro—have hindered the team’s ability to convert possession into goals. The midweek League Cup exit against Liverpool marks another setback in De Zerbi’s effort to establish consistency within the squad.
Prediction: How this development can affect Tottenham Hotspur supporters and club hierarchy
This latest cup exit and prolonged winless streak will significantly impact two key audiences: the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase and the executive board.
- For Tottenham Supporters: The away support at Anfield demonstrated notable patience, but continuous barren runs in front of goal risk eroding trust. Fans who witnessed last season’s close brush with relegation remain anxious about another difficult campaign. If De Zerbi’s promised “click” does not yield immediate points in upcoming Premier League fixtures, fan frustration is likely to heighten, placing immense pressure on home fixtures at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- For the Club Hierarchy and Executive Board: Having invested over £300 million during the summer transfer window, the board expects clear visual progress and a return on investment through domestic stability and European qualification contention. While De Zerbi remains tied to a long-term contract, prolonged stay in the lower half of the Premier League table will test executive patience. Failure to translate performances into victories within the next month could force the board to re-evaluate their timeline for the current project.
