Tottenham XI vs Liverpool: Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro Ruled Out as Richarlison Remains Excluded

Tottenham travel to Anfield for Tuesday night's Carabao Cup tie with Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro both ruled out, Dejan Kulusevski still unavailable and Richarlison left out of the squad. Destiny Udogie returns, but Roberto De Zerbi's options remain thin. Kick-off is 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15.

  • Fixture: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur, Carabao Cup, Anfield
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, September 15, 8pm BST
  • Key absences: Sandro Tonali (knock), Pedro Porro (muscular), Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison (excluded)
  • Return: Destiny Udogie available after being rested as a precaution
  • Fitness concerns: Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher and Mohammed Kudus short of full match fitness
  • Predicted XI: Dubravka; Gray, Adarabioyo, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher; Kudus, Solanke, Marmosh

Confirmed line-ups

No confirmed line-ups have been announced. The predicted Tottenham XI is listed below.

Tottenham Hotspur (predicted XI)

Starting XI: Dubravka; Gray, Adarabioyo, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher; Kudus, Solanke, Marmosh.

Selection notes

Sandro Tonali picked up a knock after the goalless draw with Everton, while Pedro Porro continues to struggle with a muscular issue. Dejan Kulusevski also remains unavailable. Destiny Udogie returns after being held back as a precaution at the weekend. Richarlison is fit but remains outside the first-team picture after failing to secure a move away before the window shut.

What was said

"No, Kulusevski not available. Pedro is still not available. Udogie yes. Richarlison, you already know everything, nothing changed for the Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same."

— Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham head coach, on team news

"I don't know, Luca. We have to see because many players need to play. Maybe not 90 minutes, 90 minutes, but 30 minutes a real game is important. Yes, there is not Sandro Tonali. I forgot to say because he felt a knock."

— Roberto De Zerbi, on academy winger Luca Williams-Barnett and Tonali's injury

De Zerbi's words leave little room for interpretation. Kulusevski and Porro are unavailable, Udogie is back, and Richarlison's exclusion is a fixed state, not a temporary measure. The manager also admitted he forgot to mention Tonali's knock, underlining how quickly the injury situation has deteriorated.

The second quote hints at a balancing act. De Zerbi knows several players need minutes, but he cannot risk overloading them. Thirty minutes of real action may be more valuable than a full 90 for those returning from injury.

Injury and availability

  • Sandro Tonali: Out — picked up a knock after the Everton stalemate.
  • Pedro Porro: Out — still dealing with a muscular issue.
  • Dejan Kulusevski: Unavailable.
  • Destiny Udogie: Available — held back at the weekend as a precaution.
  • Richarlison: Fit but excluded — not travelling to Merseyside.
  • Mateus Fernandes: Short of full match fitness.
  • Conor Gallagher: Short of full match fitness.
  • Mohammed Kudus: Short of full match fitness.

Why De Zerbi's makeshift midfield faces a brutal Anfield test

Tottenham's predicted midfield of Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher lacks the established presence of Tonali, who has been a regular starter when fit. Gallagher is not yet at full match sharpness, meaning Bentancur may be forced to sit deeper than usual while Bergvall carries the ball forward. Against Liverpool's high press, that could lead to turnovers in dangerous areas.

In defence, Destiny Udogie returns at left-back, but the centre-back pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Marcos Senesi has rarely played together. Archie Gray is likely to fill in at right-back with Porro out. That is a patchwork back four facing one of the most intense forward lines in the country.

Up front, Dominic Solanke leads the line with support from Mohammed Kudus and Marmosh. Solanke's hold-up play will be vital to relieve pressure, but he needs runners alongside him. Kudus is not fully fit, so his impact may be limited to bursts rather than sustained pressing.

Talking points

  • Should De Zerbi have recalled Richarlison given Tottenham's shortage of forward options? His exclusion is a strong statement, but it leaves the squad lighter.
  • Is a makeshift defence of Gray, Adarabioyo, Senesi and Udogie capable of keeping Liverpool out at Anfield? History suggests not.
  • With Tonali, Porro and Kulusevski out, is the Carabao Cup now a distraction from Tottenham's league campaign?
  • Can Gallagher, Fernandes and Kudus get through the match without breaking down? They are all short of full match fitness.

What happens next

Tottenham's immediate focus is Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at Anfield. A positive result would ease the pressure on De Zerbi, but a heavy defeat could deepen concerns ahead of the weekend's Premier League fixture. The manager must also manage the minutes of returning players to avoid further injuries.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sandro Tonali playing for Tottenham vs Liverpool?

No. Tonali is out after picking up a knock following the Everton draw.

Will Richarlison play for Tottenham against Liverpool?

No. Richarlison remains excluded and will not travel, with De Zerbi confirming the situation is unchanged.

What time is kick-off for Liverpool vs Tottenham?

Kick-off is 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15 at Anfield.

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