Liverpool entertain Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup third round at Anfield on Tuesday evening
Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi has hinted Liverpool could be facing completely new-look opposition in their Carabao Cup clash this week - with Anfield bogeyman Richarlison set to come in from the cold.
The Reds entertain Tottenham on Tuesday in the third round of the competition having extended their unbeaten start to life under new head coach Andoni Iraola with a dismal goalless Premier League draw at home to Fulham on Saturday.
Tottenham are still to win in the top-flight, with their only goals this season coming in the 5-1 thumping of Charlton Athletic that set up the tie at Liverpool.
They were held to a second successive goalless draw when they faced Everton at home at the weekend, after which De Zerbi indicated he would start with a different XI for the trip to Anfield.
OPINION
"Now we play Tuesday in Liverpool and we play with all other players but it will be a very important match for us," he said.
"We can improve playing in the games, we can improve during the week.
"A mental block, because four games, no wins, any goals scored. It is tough also for the players because they are human and they are very good guys, and I asked them to follow me because if last season I was positive, I can't understand why I cannot be the same this season."
Richarlison saw moves to Everton and Vasco da Gama fail to materialise earlier this month and was then left out of Tottenham's Premier League squad.
However, the Brazilian is eligible for the League Cup and could come into consideration having scored five times in nine visits to Anfield, most recently earning the Londoners a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in March.
Tottenham, who spent more than £300million on new players during the summer transfer window, were able to name a strong bench against Everton with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, defenders Ben Davies, Marcos Senesi and Tosin Adarabioyo, midfielders Conor Gallagher, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison and forwards Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus.
They were, though, without injured sextet Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, Mykhailo Mudryk and Wilson Odobert.