De Zerbi: Spurs unlucky in 3-1 Carabao Cup loss at Liverpool

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi described his side's 3-1 Carabao Cup third-round defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday as "unfair", pointing to a run of bad fortune across several recent matches while maintaining confidence in his squad.

"We are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result, I think it's unfair," De Zerbi told reporters at Anfield. "But we have to accept and be stronger than this unlucky moment because 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."

Despite the loss, De Zerbi insisted Spurs are trending in the right direction, singling out their performance up to the 60th minute against Newcastle as evidence of progress. He pointed to the quality available in his attacking options — naming Marmoush, Savio, Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Mateus Fernandes, Robertson, Pedro Porro, and Dominic Solanke — as reason for optimism.

"When we arrive to find the click, win a game, I think we enjoy with these players because the qualities of the players are incredible," he said. De Zerbi used the Italian word "La Scintilla" — the spark — to describe what his side is searching for ahead of Saturday's match against Aston Villa.

On the defensive errors that contributed to Liverpool's goals, De Zerbi accepted responsibility, acknowledging his team did not defend correctly for the opener and failed to close down Cody Gakpo tightly enough for the second.

James Maddison was identified as a key creative option once fit, with De Zerbi describing him as "a different player, a special player" but stressing the need for the midfielder to reach full Premier League fitness first. Mohammed Kudus, making his first start since January, was described as "great news" given his ability to operate in the number 10 role. Pedro Porro is expected to return for the weekend fixture.