Richarlison available for Liverpool cup tie after Premier League omission

Tottenham face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup with Richarlison technically eligible, despite being left out of Spurs' Premier League squad until January. His summer exit failed and Roberto De Zerbi has given no signal that the Brazilian will feature at Anfield.

  • Competition: Carabao Cup
  • Fixture: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
  • Key selection: Richarlison eligible because the competition falls under EFL rules, though he is unavailable in the Premier League until at least January
  • Manager's stance: No suggestion from Roberto De Zerbi that Richarlison will feature
  • Alternative options: Omar Marmoush, Savio, Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke are in the attacking mix

Why Richarlison is in the conversation

Richarlison remained at Tottenham after the club tried to move him on late in the transfer window. A return to Everton broke down on Deadline Day, while options in Saudi Arabia and with Vasco da Gama also went nowhere. He is now ineligible in the league until at least January but available for the Carabao Cup.

Some supporters want him involved at Anfield because his record against Liverpool is strong: six goals in 18 games, including scoring home and away for Spurs last season. Others believe reversing the club's decision would weaken it, and there is frustration over his reported hesitation about leaving or staying during the summer.

The numbers

  • 6 goals in 18 games for Richarlison against Liverpool
  • Scored home and away for Spurs against Liverpool last season
  • 0-0: Tottenham's draw with Everton, in which Dominic Solanke started

Injury and availability

Richarlison is unavailable in the Premier League until at least January but eligible for the Carabao Cup. No other fitness issues are mentioned. Dominic Solanke started the 0-0 draw with Everton but had minimal impact. Mathys Tel is pushing to return.

Why De Zerbi is likely to stick with his current attack

Tottenham's attacking options point away from Richarlison. Dominic Solanke started the 0-0 draw with Everton but had the fewest touches of any player on the pitch before going off in the second half. Omar Marmoush now looks the likeliest central option, with Savio and Mohammed Kudus around him. Mathys Tel is also pushing to come back into the side.

De Zerbi has not suggested that Richarlison will feature. Managers do not usually hide these things when they want to prepare the ground. Selecting Richarlison after freezing him out would be a major U-turn; the logical path is to keep him out of the firing line and retain the players already in the attacking rotation.

Against Liverpool, the temptation is narrative-driven. Richarlison's record against them is strong, but throwing him into a high-stakes cup tie after months without league minutes would be a gamble. Marmoush offers a more reliable focal point, while Savio and Kudus provide creativity around him. Tottenham need cohesion, not sentiment, and the manager's silence on Richarlison says plenty.

Talking points

  • Does Richarlison deserve a start purely on his record against Liverpool, or does his lack of league football make him a risk?
  • Would selecting Richarlison undermine the club's decision to freeze him out of the Premier League squad until January?
  • Is Omar Marmoush the right central striker, or should Solanke be given another chance despite his quiet display against Everton?
  • Should Spurs prioritise the Carabao Cup or protect players for the league given their attacking rotation is already settled?

What happens next

Tottenham travel to Anfield for the Carabao Cup tie, where De Zerbi must decide whether to stick with Marmoush and the current attack or make a call on Richarlison. The manager's team selection will reveal whether the Brazilian has any short-term role beyond the cup.

Frequently asked questions

Is Richarlison allowed to play for Tottenham against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup?

Yes, he is eligible for the Carabao Cup because the competition falls under English Football League rules, even though he is left out of Tottenham's Premier League squad until at least January.

Why is Richarlison not in Tottenham's Premier League squad?

The club tried to move him on late in the window, but a return to Everton broke down on Deadline Day, and options in Saudi Arabia and with Vasco da Gama also went nowhere. As a result, he was left out of the Premier League squad until at least January.

What is Richarlison's record against Liverpool?

He has scored six goals in 18 games against Liverpool, including scoring home and away for Spurs last season.

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