adminRoberto De Zerbi has once again been left with plenty to consider after Tottenham Hotspur suffered their third defeat of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Lilywhites were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night, bringing their Carabao Cup ambitions to an early end.
Tottenham struggled to impose themselves for long periods on Merseyside and ultimately lacked the attacking quality required to turn their possession and opportunities into goals.
Several players who were given the chance to stake their claim for a regular starting place failed to make a convincing impression. As a result, De Zerbi could be tempted to make significant changes when Tottenham return to Premier League action.
Spurs’ attacking problems exposed against Liverpool
With Tottenham looking to reach the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, De Zerbi handed Mohammed Kudus just his second start of 2026 following his lengthy injury absence.
However, the Ghana international’s performance suggested that he is still some way short of full match sharpness.
Kudus attempted three shots during the contest but managed to put only one on target. He also missed a significant opportunity as Tottenham struggled to make their attacking pressure count.
His effectiveness in one-on-one situations was also limited, with the winger completing only 25% of his attempted crosses and dribbles.
That lack of quality in the final third contributed to Tottenham’s inability to seriously trouble Liverpool’s defence despite creating opportunities.
Interestingly, Spurs actually registered more shots than Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool side. However, their problems became clear when the quality of those opportunities was examined.
Tottenham missed more big chances than the hosts, highlighting their inability to make the most of the openings they created.
Some of their better opportunities arrived from set pieces, but Spurs again failed to show enough composure or quality in the decisive moments.
The result was another disappointing League Cup campaign and an early exit for De Zerbi’s side.
Mathys Tel risks becoming Tottenham’s next Timo Werner
Tottenham’s struggles with forwards failing to deliver in front of goal are nothing new.
During his time in North London, Timo Werner frequently attracted criticism for his lack of end product. The German scored only three goals in 41 appearances for Tottenham between 2023 and 2025.
Werner also missed nine big chances in the Premier League during that period, contributing to his difficult relationship with sections of the Spurs fanbase.
There are now concerns that Mathys Tel could be heading down a similar path.
The young French forward has endured a difficult spell under De Zerbi and has gone eight consecutive matches without recording either a goal or an assist.
His wider record is also underwhelming, with Tel scoring only five goals across his last 46 appearances.
Those numbers have inevitably invited comparisons with Werner, particularly given Tottenham’s continued need for greater productivity from their attacking players.
De Zerbi nevertheless selected the 21-year-old from the start against Liverpool, but Tel struggled to justify his inclusion.
He remained on the pitch for 85 minutes but completed only 71% of his attempted passes. He also surrendered possession 17 times, allowing Liverpool to regain control on numerous occasions.
More concerning for Tottenham was his lack of attacking involvement.
Tel failed to register a shot on target and did not create a single chance for a teammate. He also struggled to beat Liverpool’s defenders, completing just 40% of his attempted dribbles.
The former Bayern Munich forward managed only 38 touches throughout the game, fewer than goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who recorded 47.
It was a largely ineffective display from Tel, and his performance reportedly earned him a 3/10 rating, placing him among Tottenham’s lowest-rated starters on the night.
The Liverpool defeat has therefore raised further questions about Tel’s place in De Zerbi’s starting XI.
If his current lack of attacking production continues, the Frenchman could find himself out of the team as the manager searches for more reliable options in the final third.
For Tel, avoiding the same trajectory as Werner will require a significant improvement in his performances and end product in the weeks and months ahead.
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