De Zerbi backs Solanke for Anfield return as Spurs chase goals
Roberto De Zerbi says Dominic Solanke will have a part to play when Tottenham go to Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Spurs head coach told reporters at Hotspur Way that Solanke will be involved at Anfield, either from the start or off the bench, as Tottenham look to find goals again. The tie is a third-round match in the Carabao Cup, England's league cup knockout competition, and kicks off at 8pm. The Guardian
It is a quick return to Merseyside for Spurs. They drew 0-0 at home to Everton on Saturday, 12 September, in the Premier League. That made it four league games without a goal.
Solanke started that game. The lineup that day was Kinsky, Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson, Bentancur, Tonali, Savio, Fernandes, Marmoush and Solanke, according to Liverpool's team news page. Liverpool FC
De Zerbi is backing his striker to break through. He said he has "big, big confidence" in Solanke and believes he can score 10-15 goals this season.
Solanke knows what scoring in England's top flight takes. He hit 19 Premier League goals for Bournemouth in the 2023-24 season before Spurs paid £55m to sign him. He is also a former Liverpool striker, which adds a little edge to a cup night at Anfield.
His summer did not help. His pre-season was disrupted by an injury picked up on Tottenham's tour of New Zealand and Australia. He has been building fitness since, and he scored Spurs' second in the 5-1 home win over Charlton in the previous round of the cup.
That Charlton result showed what Tottenham can do when it clicks. After a weekend loss at Brentford, De Zerbi's side hit five at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to reach the third round.
Team news for Anfield is mixed. Sandro Tonali is out with a knock. Pedro Porro remains out. De Zerbi gave the update in his pre-match press conference at the club's training ground, published in full by the club. Tottenham Hotspur
For fans, this means a simple test. Spurs need a goal, Solanke needs a run, and Anfield is about as loud a place as any to find both. The game will be shown live on ITV1 and Sky Sports Main Event. Yahoo Sports
What makes this stand out is the timing. A cup tie can free a team up. No league points on the line, just a place in the next round. For a striker searching for rhythm and a team searching for a finish, that can be enough.
