**De Zerbi Backs Spurs Attack Despite Richarlison Omission and Goal Drought**
Tottenham Hotspur's head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has reaffirmed his commitment to the team's attacking capabilities, even as the club grapples with a significant goal drought and the absence of Brazilian forward Richarlison. The Spurs will face Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday, but Richarlison will not be part of the squad due to ongoing issues that have kept him out of action.
The current season has been challenging for Tottenham, as they have yet to score a goal in their first four Premier League matches, a record that has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. The team has managed to secure only two points from these matches, leading to increased scrutiny on De Zerbi, especially following the summer acquisition of ten new players.
The most recent match, a 0-0 draw against Everton, marked the longest scoreless start to a season in Tottenham's history, further compounding the pressure on the coaching staff and players. Richarlison, who has a strong scoring record against Liverpool with four goals in seven appearances, was notably absent from the squad, having been left out of the Premier League lineup and failing to secure a transfer before the deadline.
In a press conference on Monday, De Zerbi addressed Richarlison's situation, stating, "The situation is the same. At the start of this season, I spoke to him many times to convince him to stay, and he didn’t want to. I can’t go every day to pray for him to stay." This comment highlights the complexities surrounding Richarlison's position within the team and the impact of his absence on Tottenham's attacking options.
Despite these challenges, De Zerbi expressed confidence in his reshaped attack, which includes summer signings such as Dominic Solanke, Savio, and Omar Marmoush, along with Mohammed Kudus, Conor Gallagher, and Mathys Tel. He acknowledged that these players are still adjusting to the demands of the Premier League and his tactical system.
"Solanke is a good player, and I’m sure he has to improve his physical condition and to stay positive; he’s able to score many goals with us," De Zerbi said. He also noted that Savio and Marmoush have not had significant playing time at their previous club, Manchester City, which has affected their readiness to contribute to Tottenham's attack.
In addition to Richarlison, Tottenham will also be without record signing Sandro Tonali, who has sustained a minor injury. Dejan Kulusevski and defender Pedro Porro will also miss the match against Liverpool, adding to the team's challenges as they seek to break their goal drought.
As Tottenham prepares for the upcoming clash with Liverpool, the focus will be on how the team can adapt and improve their attacking play. De Zerbi's backing of his players suggests a belief that, with time and adjustment, the squad can find its scoring touch and turn around what has been a disappointing start to the season.