De Zerbi: Spurs 'suffering' after 3-1 Carabao Cup loss at Liverpool

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said his players and staff were "suffering" following a 3-1 Carabao Cup third-round defeat at Anfield on September 15, but insisted the club would "win many games and score many goals" once things click into place.

Spurs started brightly and were denied an early lead when Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili produced the first of two outstanding saves to deny Lucas Bergvall.

Alexis Mac Allister broke the deadlock in the 21st minute and Cody Gakpo doubled the advantage on 54 minutes before Conor Gallagher headed home a Mateus Fernandes corner on 69 minutes to make it 2-1. Mamardashvili then kept out Mo Kudus — making his first start since January — and tipped over what appeared a certain Omar Marmoush equaliser with four minutes remaining.

Dominik Szoboszlai ended the contest by curling a 30-yard effort into the top corner in added time for 3-1. Spurs finished with 17 attempts at goal compared to Liverpool's 12.

"We have to be stronger," De Zerbi said. "I think last season was a school. I think it has to be a school for everyone. Now we are unlucky, because it's clear we have to improve many, many things, but also this night we played well, we created more chances, we shot more times, we got more corners than Liverpool. We could score more goals."

De Zerbi counted six or seven clear chances, citing Bergvall, Kudus, Destiny Udogie, Marmoush, Savio and further opportunities from corners. "I can't say nothing today," he added.

The Italian coach confirmed his focus immediately shifts to the next Premier League fixture against Aston Villa. "We are suffering because the results are our life," he said. "If we lose, we are sorry, we are sad, we are disappointed, we are frustrated. It's tough. But it's the first moment, the first part of this new project. I think when we make the click... I think we are going to win many games and score many goals."