Sandro Tonali ruled out as Tottenham face Liverpool in Carabao Cup

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed the midfielder's absence on Monday, explaining that Tonali had felt an issue which would prevent him from featuring in the third-round tie.

The news comes alongside another setback involving Pedro Porro, with the right-back still sidelined by a minor muscle problem. Porro was also unavailable for Spurs' goalless draw with Everton at the weekend.

There is more encouraging news regarding Destiny Udogie, however, as the defender has recovered from the concern that kept him out of the Everton game as a precaution.

Spurs have been carefully increasing the 27-year-old's involvement because of his previous muscle problems and remain cautious over his workload.

Porro, meanwhile, had already endured a disrupted build-up to the campaign after returning late for pre-season. He missed the opening-day loss to Brentford before starting against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

Dejan Kulusevski remains a long-term absentee and is not close to returning. The Swede has been out since the conclusion of the 2024-25 season after sustaining a serious kneecap injury.

Tottenham overhauled their medical department during the summer under performance director Dan Lewindon, following an injury-plagued campaign in which Spurs narrowly escaped relegation to the Championship.