Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that unsettled forward Richarlison will play no part in Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield, despite the Brazilian being eligible for selection.
Richarlison was omitted from Spurs' 25-man Premier League squad earlier this month after informing the club he wanted to leave, but domestic cup competitions operate under different registration rules, meaning he technically could have featured. De Zerbi has chosen not to use that option, extending a standoff that has rumbled on for weeks.
The forward's proposed departure to boyhood club Vasco da Gama collapsed on Friday after the two parties could not agree personal terms, while earlier interest from Everton and Trabzonspor also failed to progress into concrete deals. Richarlison was present in the stands for Spurs' goalless draw with Everton at the weekend but remains without a route back into De Zerbi's plans.
Asked directly about the situation before facing Liverpool, De Zerbi was blunt in his assessment. "Richarlison, you already know everything and nothing change for Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same," he said.
The Italian coach was keen to stress that the dispute was not of his making, insisting he had tried to persuade the striker to commit to Tottenham's long-term project before the transfer saga escalated. "I stay in the middle and I can't say nothing more because it is not my job. What I have done at the beginning of this season has been to speak with him and to propose an extension of the contract. If he said, 'no thank you,' I finished my job," De Zerbi explained. He added that the breakdown in the relationship was strictly a matter between the player and the club, not something he felt able to elaborate on publicly.
Richarlison, who has scored four goals in seven appearances against Liverpool during his time at Spurs, was reportedly exploring the possibility of terminating the final nine months of his contract last week, though no resolution has been reached.
Beyond the Richarlison issue, De Zerbi confirmed further absentees for the trip to Merseyside. Sandro Tonali will miss out after picking up a minor knock in the draw with Everton, while Pedro Porro continues to be sidelined by a muscular problem that also kept him out at the weekend. Long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski remains unavailable, though Destiny Udogie has returned to contention having been rested as a precaution against Everton.
With Tottenham still searching for their first Premier League win of the season, De Zerbi indicated he is unlikely to make sweeping changes to his starting lineup, even with a hectic fixture schedule to manage. "No, the other players, I think Lucas Bergvall is not 'other player', Mathys Tel also and then we have to analyse the other players," he said, pointing to the depth he has in defense with Marcos Senesi, Ben Davies and Tosin Adarabioyo all viewed as capable deputies for Micky van de Ven and Joel Veerman-esque regular JP van Hecke.
De Zerbi also suggested academy winger Luca Williams-Barnett could be handed minutes, while confirming Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher and Mohammed Kudus are not yet at full match sharpness. The Spurs boss made clear that progressing in the competition remains a priority. "I would like to go far in the Carabao and FA Cup," he said.
Tottenham are projected to line up with Martin Dubravka in goal behind a back four of Djed Spence or Gray, Tosin, Senesi and Udogie, with Bentancur, Bergvall and Gallagher in midfield supporting Kudus, Solanke and Marmoush in attack. Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports and ITV.
Based on reporting from The Independent and The Standard.