Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round.
Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the Carabao Cup as they were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
Roberto De Zerbi decided to ring some changes to his XI from the Everton draw on Saturday. The likes of Mohammed Kudus, Tosin Adarabioyo and Martin Dubravka made their first starts of the campaign.
Spurs had enjoyed the better of the chances in the opening exchanges, but Liverpool took the lead when Alexis Mac Allister curled home superbly from the top of the 18-yard box. Andoni Iraola’s side doubled their lead in the 54th minute, as Cody Gakpo bent a right-footed shot into the far corner past a diving Dubravka.
Roberto De Zerbi and Co. got a goal back when Conor Gallagher headed in from close range from Mateus Fernandes’ corner. Giorgi Mamardashvili made a brilliant reaction save from Omar Marmoush’s deflected shot. Spurs had their chances to equalise, but ultimately the game was decided by Dominik Szoboszlai’s thunderous half-volley.
Roberto De Zerbi makes honest admission on Tottenham’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup
Coming off a goalless draw against Everton, Roberto De Zerbi wanted his boys to show personality and courage to compete with Liverpool at Anfield. The Tottenham players responded to their gaffer’s demands and put in a spirited display. However, Spurs’ sorry record at Anfield continued, despite firing 17 shots on goal across 90 minutes.
De Zerbi was asked what he made of the game and the early Carabao Cup exit. The Italian tactician said his team were “unlucky” to lose to Liverpool, reiterating to his players to make better decisions in the final third.
“We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, we have to finish better in clear situations, but we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result. I think, unfair, but we have to accept it and be stronger than this unlucky moment, because I’m honest, I’m honest with myself and I’m honest with you,” De Zerbi said in his press conference (h/t Football London).
Some positives to take for De Zerbi from Liverpool loss
After a strong start from the hosts, Spurs settled down eventually and played some exciting football. The first chance fell to Bergvall following a quick transition, but the Swede couldn’t finish it past Mamardashvili. After going a goal down, Kudus had a glorious chance to equalise in the first half. However, the Ghanaian missed his volley from close range.
There were some openings in the second half, and better decision-making from certain players would have led to a fruitful outcome. On several occasions, we either made the wrong pass or kept moving the ball around in the final third instead of shooting and testing the Liverpool goalkeeper. Defensively, we were taken apart by the Reds, but De Zerbi’s side at least managed to score their first goal this season against Premier League opposition, which is in itself a big positive to take away.
With a struggling Aston Villa visiting N17 at the weekend, De Zerbi must build on the positives and motivate his boys to claim their first league win of the season.
