Richarlison not in Spurs League Cup squad: De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi said Richarlison would not be in Tottenham's squad for Tuesday's League Cup tie at Liverpool even though his team are struggling badly for goals.

The Brazilian forward was left out of the club's 25-man Premier League player list submitted earlier this month after being informed he was not part of first-team plans, but failed to secure a departure and is eligible to play in the League Cup.

However, Spurs boss De Zerbi confirmed on Monday that the ex-Everton forward, who turned down a move to Vasco da Gama last week, would not feature despite boasting an impressive record for the club against Liverpool.

"Richarlison, you already know everything and nothing changes for Carabao (League) Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same," he said.

The Italian, whose team are yet to score a goal in four Premier League matches this season, said he was caught in the middle.

"What I have done at the beginning of this season has been to speak with him and to propose an extension of the contract," he said. "If he said, 'No thank you,' I finished my job.

"I said at the last press conference. I know what happened in the last 45 days. It's not right if I explained. It's not my behaviour. The relationship, the problem is between the player and the club.

"I stay within the club. It's coach and club together. 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."

Richarlison, 29, started Tottenham's Premier League opener at Brentford but was told he could leave before a move to Everton collapsed and links to Trabzonspor failed to result in a move.

He attended Saturday's goalless draw with Everton, but will remain on the sidelines.

De Zerbi will also be without Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali for the midweek trip to Anfield.