Spurs Injury Crisis: Tonali and Porro Out of Liverpool Tie as De Zerbi Makes Richarlison Call

Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Anfield without Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round meeting with Liverpool, adding to a growing list of unavailable players for Roberto De Zerbi.

The Spurs boss confirmed Tonali has picked up a knock, while Porro remains sidelined with the muscular problem that kept him out of Saturday’s goalless draw against Everton. Destiny Udogie, however, is back in contention after his own recent fitness concerns.

The bigger talking point is Richarlison. Despite being eligible for the Carabao Cup after being left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad, the Brazilian will not be involved against Liverpool.

Tonali suffers untimely setback

Tonali had started all four of Tottenham’s Premier League matches this season and completed the full 90 minutes against Everton.

His latest setback therefore comes at an awkward moment for De Zerbi, who has been gradually increasing the midfielder’s involvement after previously acknowledging that he was still working towards his best physical condition.

The Spurs manager confirmed on Monday that Tonali had felt a knock and would miss the trip to Anfield.

It leaves Tottenham without one of their most important midfield options for a match in which De Zerbi is expected to rotate his squad.

Porro still unavailable as Udogie returns

Pedro Porro is another confirmed absentee.

The right-back missed the Everton game after feeling a small muscular problem, with De Zerbi previously making it clear that he did not want to take unnecessary risks with the defender.

That precaution continues into the Liverpool match.

There is, however, some relief on the opposite side of the defence. Udogie is available again, giving De Zerbi another senior option as he manages a squad already dealing with several fitness problems.

Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhailo Mudryk are also among the players currently unavailable.

De Zerbi shuts the door on Richarlison

Richarlison's situation is very different from the injury problems affecting Tonali and Porro.

The striker is technically eligible for the Carabao Cup, but De Zerbi has confirmed that he will not be considered for the Liverpool game.

The decision comes after a turbulent summer in which Richarlison made it clear that he wanted to leave Tottenham.

A proposed return to Everton did not materialise, while a move to Vasco da Gama also failed to go through.

De Zerbi revealed that he had tried to convince the Brazilian to remain at the club, including discussing a contract extension, but the player's position did not change.

The Italian's message is now unmistakable: he will not continue trying to persuade a player who does not want to stay.

Spurs face a difficult night at Anfield

Tottenham's squad problems arrive at a particularly difficult time.

De Zerbi's side are still searching for their first Premier League goal of the season after four matches and sit on just two points following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Everton.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are also coming off a goalless league draw, having been held by Fulham at Anfield.

That gives Tuesday night's cup meeting an intriguing edge. Both managers have suggested that rotation will be necessary, but Tottenham's absences could make De Zerbi's task particularly complicated.

Tonali and Porro are now definitely out, Richarlison remains excluded, while Udogie's return provides one welcome boost.

For Spurs, the challenge is to put their difficult league start behind them and produce a performance at Anfield that can change the mood around the club.

Fan Debate

⚽ Goal: Can Tottenham cope without Tonali and Porro at Anfield?

🔥 Fire: Was De Zerbi right to keep Richarlison out?

😲 Shock: Which Spurs absence could hurt them most?

👍 Like: Can Tottenham eliminate Liverpool?

💬 Comment: What should De Zerbi's strongest XI look like?