Tottenham Hotspur supporters are calling for Richarlison to be reinstated to the matchday squad for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield, despite the forward being frozen out of Premier League contention until at least January.
The Brazilian striker was left out of Spurs' Premier League squad after the club attempted to engineer his departure before the transfer window closed. A proposed return to Everton fell through on Deadline Day, while subsequent efforts to broker moves to Saudi Arabia and to Vasco da Gama in his native Brazil also failed to materialise. As a result, Richarlison now faces a lengthy spell without top-flight football, with no route back into Premier League action for more than three months.
However, the Carabao Cup presents a different scenario. Because the competition falls under the jurisdiction of the English Football League rather than the Premier League, Richarlison remains eligible to feature, opening the door for a potential recall against Liverpool.
A significant section of the Tottenham fanbase has seized on this technicality, pointing to the 28-year-old's strong record against the Merseyside club as justification for his inclusion. Richarlison has netted six goals in 18 appearances against Liverpool across his career, including strikes for Spurs last season in both home and away fixtures against them.
Not every supporter is in favour of a swift return, though. Some fans have referenced Richarlison's wavering stance over his future at the club during the summer, when uncertainty surrounded whether he wanted to stay or leave. Others argue that Tottenham's hierarchy should maintain their original decision to exclude him, having already gone to considerable lengths to move him on before the deadline passed.
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has given no indication that Richarlison is being considered for selection at Anfield, leaving his involvement very much in doubt despite the eligibility loophole.
Spurs' attacking options have come under scrutiny following a goalless draw with Everton, in which Dominic Solanke started up front but struggled to make an impact, recording fewer touches than any other outfield player before being withdrawn in the second half. That underwhelming performance has fuelled further debate among supporters about the club's forward line heading into the cup fixture.
With Solanke's place under threat, Omar Marmoush appears the most probable candidate to lead the line against Liverpool, likely flanked by Savio and Mohammed Kudus in a fluid attacking setup. Mathys Tel is also pushing for a recall to the starting eleven after recent squad rotation, adding further competition for places in an increasingly congested forward department.
The cup tie represents an opportunity for De Zerbi to experiment with his attacking personnel, particularly given the reduced pressure compared to league fixtures. Whether that experimentation extends to recalling Richarlison remains to be seen, but the growing clamour from sections of the Tottenham support suggests the club's handling of the situation will continue to be scrutinised regardless of the outcome at Anfield.
For now, the decision rests with De Zerbi and the club's hierarchy, who must weigh the striker's proven scoring pedigree against Liverpool with the broader message his potential inclusion would send after a turbulent transfer saga.
Based on reporting from standard-football.