The star made his first Tottenham start of the season in the 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.
We are just one month into the start of the 26/27 season, and Tottenham Hotspur already have one less competition to worry about. This is because Roberto De Zerbi and Co. were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Tottenham’s barren run on Liverpool’s home turf since 2011 continued as they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 in the third round of the Carabao Cup. After goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, Spurs pulled one back through Conor Gallagher’s header in the 69th minute to set up a grandstand finale. But Dominik Szoboszlai came off the bench and scored one of the best goals of the season with a thunderous volley to seal Tottenham’s fate on the evening.
Roberto De Zerbi makes admission on Mohammed Kudus
Roberto De Zerbi rotated his squad after the Premier League exertions against Everton. Deadline day signing Tosin Adarabioyo made his full debut for the Lilywhites, partnering Marcos Senesi in central defence. Mohammed Kudus started his first game of the season as well, which also marked his first outing from the off in a Spurs shirt since mid-January.
Mohammed Kudus has been eased back to fitness after missing the second half of last season with a serious quad injury. He was given 27 minutes off the bench as Spurs drew 0-0 at home to Everton over the weekend, and on Tuesday evening, the creative attacker played 75 minutes.
Asked about Kudus’ first start of the season, De Zerbi said in his press conference (h/t Football London):
“Kudus is another great news for us. Because he can also play as a number 10. We can play with Savio, Kudus, Solanke and Marmoush.”
Keeping Kudus fit will be key for Tottenham
The Ghanaian looked rusty in his first start of the season. He squandered Tottenham’s best opening of the first half by firing over the crossbar from six yards out. The 26-year-old tried to pin Milos Kerkez back with his dribbling, movement and physicality; however, it wasn’t really meant to be.
As per SofaScore, Kudus had five unsuccessful touches, completed just one out of four dribbles, made one progressive carry and enjoyed a 75% pass success rate. He lost possession 16 times in the game, producing a rusty 5/10 display against Liverpool.
Nonetheless, it is good to see the African playmaker compete intensely on the pitch and try his best to make his presence felt. Kudus completing 75 minutes is a big plus to Spurs’ attacking unit, as De Zerbi and Co. seek their first Premier League goal and win at the weekend. Re-integrating the 26-year-old restores natural balance to Tottenham’s attacking line, offers dynamism and grants De Zerbi greater tactical flexibility in the final third.
