Liverpool Echo

Modern-day Liverpool legend Andy Robertson returns to the club for the first time on Tuesday when Tottenham Hotspur arrive at Anfield for a Carabao Cup tie

Andy Robertson makes his way back to Liverpool for the first time since his emotional summer exit when Tottenham Hotspur visit Anfield on Tuesday for a Carabao Cup third-round tie (8pm kick-off).

But the modern-day Reds legend is being tipped for a permanent return to the club where he won eight major honours across nine years - as a future manager.

Robertson is a long way off retiring and his decision to leave Liverpool was motivated by a desire to play more football after losing his place to Milos Kerkez in his final campaign on Merseyside.

The Scotland captain has started three of struggling Tottenham's four Premier League matches so far this season and has been one of their better performers.

And his fellow Scot Alan Hutton reckons Robertson could still do a job for Liverpool, who he is tipping to move into management when his decorated playing career comes to an end.

"Could we see Andy Robertson return to Liverpool as manager some day or take the Scotland or Celtic jobs? I think he can go on and do that if he wants to," the former Spurs and Aston Villa right-back said.

"He has always been a student of the game for as long as I’ve known him. I was just doing what I needed to do before leaving for the day whereas he would be there, in training, asking questions constantly.

"He wanted to know why we were doing this a certain way, what were the reasons for setting up the team how we were for the next game, why do we want to do that.

"And anybody that’s like that, inquisitive about the game to that level, with their team and with themselves, is on that path to becoming a manager eventually.

"He’s got all the attributes to take on a job like that after he finishes and builds up his coaching career."

Robertson, who played alongside Hutton for Scotland, announced in April his intention to say goodbye to the Reds at the end of the 2025-26 season.

He had previously came close to joining Tottenham in January while in the summer of 2025 he held talks over a move to Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool have not replaced Robertson, instead turning to the returning Kostas Tsimikas, who struggled in Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Fulham, to act as cover and competition for first-choice Kerkez, who himself has yet to replicate the high level of performances he produced for Bournemouth.

And Hutton, speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, said: "I am very surprised Liverpool allowed Andy Robertson to leave for nothing. I believe he’s still at an age where he’s got so much more to give.

"Experience counts for a lot, even in that Liverpool team. It doesn’t matter how much money they’ve spent. You still need players who understand what it’s like to win, and what it takes to play for a club like Liverpool, with the level of expectations from the manager, the crowd, the community, and everything that goes along with it.

"To allow the situation to develop where he can leave on a free was a strange decision by Liverpool.

"Andy Robertson coming in is a massive opportunity for Spurs, and I think he'll help because they have lost that sort of leader for the last couple of years within that dressing room.

"I’ve played with Andy. I know what he’s like. He demands the best from everyone around him every day, and I’m sure he’ll be doing exactly that at Tottenham."

Spurs will arrive at Anfield after a 0-0 draw at home to Everton on Saturday that made it four Premier League games without a win and without a goal.

And head coach Roberto De Zerbi has hinted he could make 11 changes for the clash with the Reds, which would mean Robertson starting on the bench.

The Tottenham boss said: "Now we play Tuesday in Liverpool and we play with all other players but it will be a very important match for us.

"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."

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.

Roberto De Zerbi says Everton helped inflict Tottenham mental block - 'There is a word in Italian'  Liverpool Echo

National media react as Everton bring boos back to Tottenham - 'They were the better side'  Liverpool Echo

Everton man unfairly judged for who he's not steps up as David Moyes gets it right  Liverpool Echo

And that's our coverage done for the night.

Four unbeaten in the Premier League, five unbeaten in all competitions... if the Blues can follow this up with a Carabao Cup win midweek at home to Wolves and then beat Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League next Saturday, then it will have been a very good start to the season.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, just yet.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, another positive one to be an Evertonian.

Goodnight.

As the cries from the home supporters turned from hope to desperation, Jarrad Branthwaite leapt highest in a crowded box and headed clear before being clattered. He knew the blow to his body was coming before his feet left the ground. But still he rose from the turf.

It was a fitting moment to conclude the game. The centre-back ended the match how he started it, putting his body on the line. Huge blocks from Matheus Fernandes and Omar Marmoush were pivotal as Everton clung on as Tottenham Hotspur started with intensity, overloading the visiting full-backs and overwhelming their midfield.

Marmoush, Fernandes, Dominic Solanke and Savio all wreaked early havoc. But they were unable to make their dominance count and score a first Premier League goal of the season for their team. The main reason for that was Branthwaite.

READ JOE THOMAS' BIG-MATCH VERDICT IN FULL HERE

The Ukraine international was excellent tonight, so much so he was named Sky Sports' man of the match.

And here's what he had to say to the broadcaster post-game: "This group is so good. A few weeks ago, I said in interview, this is probably the best group ever I've seen in Everton since I came, so I'm happy to play with them and also I'm happy to see Jarrad (Branthwaite) back this season and I enjoy to play with him."

Jordan Pickford 7

Reedemed himself with a smart save down to his left to keep out Lucas Bergvall’s shot after he’d gifted the ball to Spurs with a misplaced pass from his weaker right foot moments earlier, he needed to be alert at all times without his goal necessarily being peppered and was also called into action in the first half to make a save with his leg to deny former Liverpool player Andy Robertson’s shot from an angle.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles 7

Kept busy on his first start, the former Arsenal man’s eyes will have lit up when the ball fell to him outside the opponents’ penalty area again for a shot, but this time it fell to his weaker left foot and he fired wide. He looked comfortable on the ball but felt the pace after making a return to the Premier League after three years in France.

Vitalii Mykolenko 8

An accomplished display from the Ukraine international, he put an early tackle in on Savio and has defended strongly in the face of regular waves of attacks while also having a headed effort which caused something of a panic for Kinsky.

James Tarkowski 7

Strong leadership was required as Spurs piled on the pressure early on, but his tough resilience enabled Everton to weather the storm as be dealt with everything that came his way.

READ CHRIS BEESLEY'S PLAYER RATINGS IN FULL HERE

Bergvall has introduced some energy to the Spurs midfield but he is unable to escape the attention of Armstrong, who forces him backwards. Good play from the teenager.

Kudus now cuts a run inside Mykolenko but threads a through ball to a non-existent runner and that is a goal-kick. Now Grealish buys a foul on halfway and that is valuable for the visitors.

Ah, Branthwaite plays a forward pass to KDH but the two aren't on the same wavelength, that is a wasted chance for, at the very least, a calm 20 seconds or a testing ball into the box. Everton have to be smarter.

Kudus is also starting to grow into the game. There are groans when Gray cuts out a ball to the winger but a clever flick finds him now and Branthwaite acrobatically hooks a cross away from the near post. Now Hackney hammers clear another cross.

It is times like these, when Everton neeed Barry to occupy defenders, that having so few options up top will hurt them.

Some respite though as Bergvall catches Garner on halway.

The free kick is sent across the pitch to O'Brien but he is offside - that is poor.

Garner is now penalised for a foul on Savio 15 yards inside the Everton half. Ref Darren England took his time but then blew, and then got the yellow card out.

Gray climbs above Mykolenko to meet a cross but Mykolenko does enough to stop him from being able to do anything over than head it well over.

Gray is now replaced by Adarabioyo, the signing from Chelsea making is debut for the hosts.

Everton come down the right now and twice Barry puts up a good fight with van Hecke as they battle for crosses. He is making the centre back work for everything, which is good to see.

Everton get a few more crosses in from the right and the last one, when cleared, is fired at (I think) van de Ven. The away end want a penalty but none is forthcoming.

Everton come again and it is down the left. A Grealish ball is cut out but ends up back with a green shirt and the home fans moan in frustration.

Grealish is seeking out the ball now, Everton are trying to go through him and that is a massive chance. Dewsbury-Hall picks out the run of Johnson, central, in space and he shoots over. He should have scored.

Johnson comes off to applause from the home end and AML is off as well. O'Brien to right-back, Dibling on the right.

Right, Joe with you to the end as Spurs send another sloppy pass out of play - this half has been littered with them.

I can't tell you which way this going to go. Unlike the first half, Everton are creating chances though and KDH will think he should have done better just then.

This game is getting a little frenetic - the home fans are desperate for their team to get forward and making plenty of noise, but some of it is in desperation as much as expectation.

Jordan Pickford 7

Has needed to be alert at all times without his goal necessarily being peppered, he was called into action to make a save with his leg to deny former Liverpool player Andy Robertson’s shot from an angle.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles 6

Being kept busy on his first start, the former Arsenal man’s eyes will have lit up when the ball fell to him outside the opponents’ penalty area again for a shot but this time it fell to his weaker left foot and he fired wide.

Vitalii Mykolenko 7

Put an early tackle in on Savio and has defended strongly so far in the face of regular waves of attacks and also had a headed effort which caused something of a panic for Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.

James Tarkowski 7

Strong leadership was required as Spurs piled on the pressure early on, but his tough resilience has enabled Everton to weather the storm somewhat.

Jarrad Branthwaite 7

Made a crucial block to keep out a Sandro Tonali shot, he’s having to read the game well and offers Everton an opportunity to step out of defence when they do have the ball.

James Garner 6

Tested Kinsky with a stoppage time free-kick, this has been one of the sternest tests of his match sharpness to date since returning from a hernia operation given Spurs coming out of the traps quickly, he’s been having to get some last-ditch challenges in but could do with holding onto the ball a bit better.

Harrison Armstrong 6

Penalised early on for a challenge on Omar Marmoush that looked like the kind of call more experienced players might get away with, Archie Gray then caught him with a full-blooded tackle but he’s learning fast at this level showing maturity beyond his years.

Brennan Johnson 5

Given a pre-match round of applause ahead of facing the side for whom his goal won the 2025 Europa League final, he’s struggled to get into the game against his former side with few touches.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 6

Desperately craving opportunities to drive the ball forwards, he’s been a tenacious competitor without making much of a mark.

Tyrique George 6

Blowing hot and cold, there have been moments in which his twinkling toes have been a threat but things have not always come off for him.

Thierno Barry 5

Starved of service, the only recognised striker in the Everton squad has cut a frustrated looking figure at times, labouring to try and get the ball to stick.

Oooo a chance now as Dewsbury-Hall is pulled back by Fernandes 30 yards out from the Spurs goal and in shooting range for Garner.

Two minutes added on time by the way.

I think that foul was karma for Fernandes' flop a moment ago. Can Everton take advantage?

Nearly! A good effort from Garner has Kinsky scrambling to turn the ball around the post.

David Moyes shares honest verdict on draw at Tottenham - 'Wee bit of Everton DNA'

David Moyes offers his verdict on Everton's 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, which extended their unbeaten start to four matches

David Moyes was pleased with the resilience of his Everton side but unhappy with their performance even as they earned a useful point at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs threatened to over-run the Blues as they started brightly, dominating the ball and forcing the visitors into a rearguard display.

But for all their early intensity, Tottenham's threat faded and it was Everton who ended the match having had the best chances, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Brennan Johnson missing good opportunities in the second half.

Speaking after his team extended their unbeaten start to the campaign, Moyes acknowledged the Blues struggled at times under the pressure exerted by Spurs.

OPINION

But against the backdrop of Everton's terrible record in this part of north London, he said: “Was I happy with the performance? Not really, no. I wanted much more from the team, but I told them about coming here - we've not had a great record here.

“It was only a couple months ago we stopped getting to Europe, probably, by not winning here as well so I generally felt that we had to come in and show a bit more, we had to be resilient and tough.

“Tottenham were so good for 20 minutes. They put us under so much pressure and we found it difficult to escape from it.

“But look, we were worthy, we made a couple of chances, but we didn't play well enough today when we had the ball. We gave it away, turned it over more often than we have done recently.”

While there was disappointment at the display, he accepted there were positives, too. Chief among them was the clean sheet earned by his back four and Jordan Pickford.

He said: “The clean sheet was huge for the team and for everybody. There was a wee bit of Everton DNA, we have to find ways, we have a terrific goalkeeper, a back four that does well.

“We know exactly where we're short and what we could do better at and what we'd like to do better at.

“But there'll be some games where we might have to play that way just to get ourselves through and pick up points. It wasn't the plan. We were forced into it by Tottenham.

“I thought we did a really good job of being resilient, hard to score against. Our goalie didn't have too many saves to make, we had a few blocks, a few corners we had to defend, but overall I thought we did a pretty good job.”

Everton have an extraordinary talent that Tottenham's £400m attack had no answer for  Liverpool Echo

Everton player ratings as Jarrad Branthwaite and one other 8/10 in Tottenham draw  Liverpool Echo

Richarlison transfer twist as six players could miss Tottenham vs Everton  Liverpool Echo