De Zerbi backs Tottenham progress despite League Cup defeat by Liverpool

Roberto De Zerbi insists Tottenham are moving in the right direction despite their 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield, a result which ended their English League Cup campaign in the third round.

Tottenham had 17 attempts on Liverpool’s goal but were unable to convert their chances consistently. Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai scored for the hosts, while Conor Gallagher registered Tottenham’s only goal.

“We need to shoot more, shoot better and finish our attacks more effectively when clear chances come our way,” De Zerbi told reporters.

The match also ended Tottenham’s wait for a goal this season. They had failed to score in their opening four Premier League matches, collecting only two points from two draws and two defeats.

“We are sorry about the result and feel disappointed and frustrated, because I think it was unfair,” added the Italian. “But we have to accept it and be stronger than this difficult moment.”

De Zerbi said Tottenham had been unfortunate during their recent run of matches against Newcastle, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.

“I think that in these five or six matches we have certainly not been lucky, against Newcastle and Everton, and even Nottingham, as well as Liverpool,” he said.

The Tottenham boss acknowledged that his team still had plenty to improve, particularly in defence.

“We have to improve many things because we did not defend properly for the first goal we conceded,” he said. “For the second goal, we could have been closer to Cody Gakpo.”

Despite the defeat and Tottenham’s poor start to the Premier League season, De Zerbi remains confident in his squad’s ability.

“I think we are on the right path. I believe in the players and have great confidence in them,” he said. “When we find the solution and win a match, I think we will enjoy ourselves a lot with these players, because the quality of the players is incredible.”

De Zerbi highlighted the quality available to him by naming Omar Marmoush, Savinho, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Mathias Fernandes, Andy Robertson, Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke.

“It is a difficult moment, but we have to be stronger, prepare as well as possible for the next match against Aston Villa and find the spark that will change everything,” he added.

Omar Marmoush started for Tottenham and made several attempts to score his first goal for the London club.

Liverpool’s victory secured their place in the last 16 of the English League Cup after they overcame Tottenham in the third-round tie.