De Zerbi apologises as Tottenham crash out of League Cup with 3-1 loss at Anfield
Roberto De Zerbi acknowledged Tottenham Hotspur are in a "tough moment" and apologised after their League Cup exit, a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at a rain-lashed Anfield on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
After a poor start to the Premier League campaign, Tottenham sit fourth-bottom and remain without a league victory in their opening four matches, having lost twice and drawn twice; their only win this season came in the League Cup against second-tier Charlton. The north London club made more than £300 million ($404 million) of signings — 10 new players — since the end of last term following successive 17th-place finishes that included avoiding relegation on the final day of last season.
Liverpool opened the scoring through Alexis Mac Allister before Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai added two more, while Conor Gallagher's reply, arriving with Tottenham already 2-0 down, was the club's first goal against top-flight opponents this term and proved a consolation in the 3-1 loss.
De Zerbi described his side as unlucky this season and apologised for the result, saying: "We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, but we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result." He added: "I think, unfair, but we have to accept and to be stronger than this unlucky moment." He also said: "I'm honest with myself and I'm honest with you. I think in these five, six games, we have been for sure not lucky with Newcastle, with Everton, even with Nottingham and tonight as well."
Making eight changes from last weekend's draw with Everton was a gamble De Zerbi said backfired against an under-strength Liverpool line-up. The former Marseille boss, whose appointment late last season helped Tottenham avoid relegation, defended the group's direction, stating: "We have to understand if we are in the right way or not." He added: "I think watching the game, the last three games, four games, maybe until minute 60 with Newcastle, I think we are in the right way. I believe in my players, I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players, and when we arrive to find the click, to win a game. I think we enjoy with these players, because the qualities of the players are incredible."
Accepting responsibility for the club's faltering start, De Zerbi said: "I'm sorry, and it's my responsibility. Because maybe in the middle of the first half we didn't recognise the clear situation man-to-man." He described the situation as "a tough moment" and urged a stronger preparation for their next match, adding: "We have to be stronger to prepare our best for the next game with Villa and to find this click." The next fixture is at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.
