How Roberto De Zerbi hopes Tottenham dinner date will help end Anfield hoodoo

The last time Tottenham visited Anfield, they pulled off one of the most unexpected and ultimately critical results of their season as Richarlison's late equaliser secured an invaluable 1-1 draw.

Without a point under then-interim manager Igor Tudor and hurtling towards relegation, Spurs were not given any hope of taking anything at the home of the reigning Premier League champions.

Six months and more than £300million on transfer fees later, the stakes are nowhere near as stark, but how Spurs could do with ending their 15-year winless run at Liverpool’s historic home.

It is a tricky balancing act. Spurs are expected to rotate, but after successive 0-0 draws, they are in need of some momentum.

Despite Spurs’ distinct lack of goals, De Zerbi has made it clear that there is no way back for Richarlison after he failed to secure a move away from the club.

Richarlison was Tottenham’s hero on their last visit to Anfield - but he will not feature on Tuesday night

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De Zerbi, though, is realistic about where the pair are at right now. Solanke is not fully fit, while Marmoush is adapting to being the “protagonist” in Spurs’ rebuild after a supporting role at Manchester City.

Mental and physical limitations are holding Spurs back in attack right now, but De Zerbi is at least confident that Mohammed Kudus, capable of playing out wide or through the middle, is ready to start eight months on from suffering a serious quad injury.

The statistics - one win from five in all competitions and no league goals - paint a picture. However, De Zerbi remains steadfast. His team are better than their results suggest, better in training than what they have shown on the pitch, and hurting with every passing game in which they fail to find the back of the net.

“No, I'm sorry, but we have the qualities enough to score goals, and we had on Saturday the chance, the situation good enough to score. Sometimes we didn't shoot. We didn't make the best decision. Maybe we played with a rush,” De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“We didn't take the best decision. But the quality of the players is clear for me, and my responsibility is to work better, to analyse the details when we made mistakes and to improve.”

But the quality of the players is clear for me, and my responsibility is to work better, to analyse the details when we made mistakes and to improve.

Roberto De Zerbi

De Zerbi is right. The “rush”, or perhaps more accurately the panic, on display in the final third against Everton was clear. Mateus Fernandes and Savio both lacked conviction when presented with shooting opportunities, just as Pedro Porro had against Newcastle and Marmoush had against Forest.

Spurs are at the start of a comprehensive rebuild, and De Zerbi has been at pains to remind his players, the media and supporters that things will take time.

De Zerbi, who took his players out for dinner this week, wants Spurs to relax and make calmer, more informed and less pressurised decisions.

Issues with the club’s pre-season preparations are clearly still wrangling with De Zerbi. It has left his squad physically off the mark nearly a month into the new season.

But for what it is worth, the Italian is not in the habit of making excuses. He knows things need to change, but is confident his team are on the right path. A rare away victory over Liverpool would certainly help his cause.