It was another disappointing result for Tottenham Hotspur as they exited the Carabao Cup at the third round stage on Tuesday night, losing 3-1 to fellow Premier League side Liverpool.
There were, however, some reasons to be cheerful for the supporters, finally seeing their team score a goal against Premier League opposition this season and some moments of Roberto De Zerbi ball that has hardly been seen so far in 2026/27.
Superb strikes from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai did the damage, with a Conor Gallagher header from a corner giving Spurs brief hope of a comeback after being 2-0 down.
Much like against Everton at the weekend, Tottenham started brightly and had more of the ball and the chances in the opening exchanges, until Liverpool hit the front, stunting Spurs' attacking output.
A second home goal spurred Tottenham into life in the second period, and there was hoep of a comeback with some neat passages of play and further chances until Szoboszlai's stunner sent them crashing out.
It will give De Zerbi and the supporters hope for the coming weeks, but it was a case of the same old story for Spurs. Here is our report card for the Tottenham players on the night.
New signing has a torrid time
Martin Dubravka - B-
A full debut for the Slovakian and he could do very little with any of the goals, as Mac Allister, Gakpo and Szoboszlai all found the top corner.
Was clearly asked to play out from the back to his centre-backs and defensive midfielders and did so, although it did not always look easy on the eye and there were some hair-raising moments with Liverpool's high press.
Archie Gray - D
Playing at right-back again and with the captain's armband on again, this was not one of the youngster's best performances.
Up against an in-form Cody Gakpo, he struggled and then was turned far too easily late on by substitute Alexander Isak.
Marcos Senesi - D
Looked every bit the rusty centre-back that he is. He has not had many chances this season and it showed with some poor calls on the ball and some odd decision-making off it.
He will surely get better, given how he performed at Bournemouth, but this one will not live long in the memory for him. Must do better.
Tosin Adarabioyo - C-
Looked reasonably steady for a back-up centre-back, although there were some dodgy moments where he stood off, offering Liverpool players a bit too much room and played his team into massive trouble with an errant pass when playing out from the back that the home side really ought to have capitalised on.
Showed his tenacity by regularly having his teammates' backs in duels and challenging the referee over decisions.
Destiny Udogie - C
Looked bright in the first half, teeing up Bergvall for a great chance and getting down the left-hand side on a regular basis.
He is another who will benefit from the minutes in his legs, following a torrid time with injuries. A Spurs team with Udogie at 100% is a better team.
Rodrigo Bentancur - C-
The Uruguayan has had a strong start to the season, showing what Spurs have missed in the middle of the park when he has been injured, but this was not his best night.
Earned a booking in the first half and was perhaps fortunate not to get a second one in the second half. Was hooked soon after. he will have better days.
Lucas Bergvall - B
Make no bones about it, he should have scored in the first half and put Tottenham 1-0 up with a glorious chance in front of goal, but his effort was too close to Giorgi Mamardashvili, giving the Georgian the opportunity to make the save.
However, after coming in for criticism in the opening game of the season, the youngster showed he has what it takes to bounce back and was one of Spurs' brightest stars on the night, looking to get on the front foot and move through the midfield with the ball at his feet. Keep it up.
Mohammed Kudus - C
His first start since the first week of 2026 and how Spurs have missed him.
His rustiness showed, with the Ghanaian unable to make too much of an impact on the night, but he will benefit from that run out and get better as the weeks go on.
Tottenham fans have their own pantomime villain
Conor Gallagher - C+
Someone who does not exactly get the fans' juices flowing, but will always give it his all. He huffs and puffs around the pitch and some things look really good, but other times he just gives the ball away in promising situations.
Scored the goal, Spurs' first against Premier League opposition this season, from a corner and gets marked up for that.
Mathys Tel - D
The Frenchman appears to be the one that the fans' ire is aimed towards at the moment, with a feeling that Spurs can do much better on the left-hand side.
He has had to play regularly because of the lack of options and was more often than not Spurs brightest attacking outlet in a dire second half of last season. He has started the season brightly, while the team has struggled, but end product is sorely lacking. See the teacher.
Omar Marmoush - C+
Struggled to make any impact on the game whatsoever in the first half and you could be forgiven for forgetting he was on the pitch. However, De Zerbi's words at the half-time interval must have stung as he sprang into life, showing some nice touches and making a few marauding runs.
If Tottenham can get someone creative in behind him - cough, Maddison, cough - then Marmoush may just shine in the Lilywhite shirt. Keep it up.
Substitutes
Andy Robertson - B-
Got a huge ovation from the Liverpool supporters on his return to Anfield and put in a good shift for Spurs, showing his clamness on the ball and getting Spurs immediately on the front foot on the left with some darting runs.
Mateus Fernandes - C
Should probably be starting week in, week out. He needs to be trusted in the midfield as he has the ability to get on the ball and start attacking moves from scratch.
Savio - B-
Give him the ball and he will run with it. It might not always come off, but he wants to attack his full-back all the time. Should have scored when he barged his way through into the box but his right-foot shot was awry.
James Maddison - B
How Spurs have missed the Englishman. That bit of nous, courage and ability to break the lines has been sorely missing. This was a good cameo and De Zerbi will be hoping to call upon him more and more in the coming weeks.
Dominic Solanke - C
Hardly touched the ball in six minutes on the pitch. Did not have time to make any impact.