Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Mohammed Kudus is fit enough to start Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool at Anfield, while Richarlison will not be involved in the matchday squad amid an ongoing standoff over his future at the club.
Kudus, who missed the second half of last season with a serious quad injury, made his return from the bench in Sunday's goalless draw with Everton, playing 27 minutes. Despite not yet being at full match sharpness, De Zerbi believes the Ghana international is ready to be trusted with a starting role against Liverpool. "Kudus can start, because in terms of physical condition he's better," the Italian coach said.
James Maddison, who also featured against Everton after recovering from a shoulder fracture, will not be risked from the outset. De Zerbi explained that his medical staff are taking a cautious approach with players returning from long-term injuries, citing the need to manage Maddison both physically and mentally. "I spoke with him and I would like to manage him in the best way I can. In physical aspect and in mental aspect, because he's a sensitive guy, he needs to feel full confidence and from myself he has big, big confidence," De Zerbi said, adding that he expects Maddison to contribute significantly in front of goal this season.
The Spurs boss also addressed the situation surrounding striker Dominic Solanke, who has endured a difficult return to action after a series of ankle and hamstring problems. De Zerbi rejected suggestions that his earlier description of Solanke as "sensitive" was a criticism, insisting it reflected the striker's intelligence and the mental toll of repeated injuries. "No, no, no. Sensitive because he's a smart guy. Sensitive guys are smart. One not smart is impossible to be sensitive," he said, expressing confidence that Solanke can rediscover the form that once impressed him during his time at Brighton.
Elsewhere, the club's ongoing saga with Richarlison shows no signs of resolution. The Brazilian forward, omitted from Tottenham's 25-man Premier League squad list earlier this month, will also sit out the League Cup tie at Anfield despite remaining eligible for domestic cup competitions. Richarlison's proposed move to boyhood club Vasco da Gama collapsed on Friday after the two parties failed to agree personal terms, following earlier interest from Everton and Trabzonspor that also failed to materialize into a transfer.
De Zerbi was reluctant to elaborate further on the breakdown in the relationship, insisting the issue lies between the player and the club rather than with him personally. "Richarlison, you already know everything and nothing change for Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same," he said, adding that he had tried to convince the forward to sign a new contract at the start of the season before accepting his decision to leave. Richarlison responded to reports of the decision on social media with a simple "Why?" accompanied by a crying-face emoji.
Tottenham will also be without Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali for the trip to Merseyside, but De Zerbi indicated he does not plan to make wholesale changes to his side, naming Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel among those who could feature, while praising the depth of his squad, particularly at centre-back, ahead of what he hopes will be a lengthy cup campaign.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport and The Independent.