De Zerbi calls 3-1 Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool 'unfair' as Spurs' goalless run deepens

Roberto De Zerbi insisted the 3-1 scoreline was ‘unfair’ after Tottenham were eliminated from the Carabao Cup in the third round by Liverpool at Anfield, with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and a stoppage-time strike from Dominik Szoboszlai sealing the hosts’ victory.

The defeat extends a miserable run for Spurs, who have failed to score in all four of their Premier League fixtures this season and have not won since beating Charlton Athletic in the second round of the same competition. The result piles pressure on De Zerbi and his squad following a summer of heavy investment, headlined by a club-record £100 million signing of Sandro Tonali as part of a midfield overhaul.

Despite the scoreline, De Zerbi pointed to his side’s wastefulness in front of goal rather than a lack of effort or quality. “We have to shoot more times and we have to shoot better. We have to finish better the clear situations,” he said. “But we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result. I think it is unfair but we have to accept it and be stronger than this unlucky moment because I am honest. Honest with myself and with you.”

The Italian manager also cited a broader pattern of misfortune across the opening weeks of the campaign, referencing draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton — both finishing 0-0 — as well as a difficult fixture against Newcastle. “I think in this five or six games we have been, for sure, not lucky — Newcastle, with Everton, even with Nottingham and tonight as well,” De Zerbi said.

He did acknowledge defensive shortcomings, noting that Spurs failed to deal with Liverpool’s opener correctly and could have pressed Gakpo more tightly for the second goal. “We have to improve a lot of things because the first goal we conceded, we didn’t defend in the right way and the second goal we could be closer with Gakpo,” he added.

Despite the difficult start, De Zerbi struck a determined tone. “It is a tough moment but we have to be stronger to prepare our best for the next game.” With scrutiny mounting on both the manager and the club’s summer spending, Tottenham will need to find their first league goal — and soon.