{
  "id": 7668675,
  "title": "De Zerbi admits Tottenham in ‘tough moment’ after League Cup exit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/de-zerbi-admits-tottenham-in-tough-moment-after-league-cup-exit",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:46:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/16/de-zerbi-admits-tottenham-in-tough-moment-after-league-cup-exit/235339"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham's manager, acknowledged Tottenham are facing a \"tough moment\" following their League Cup elimination at Liverpool's hands. The defeat came after a disappointing start to the Premier League season, with Tottenham currently sitting at the bottom of the table. In their match against Liverpool, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai scored for the hosts, while Tottenham's lone goal came from Conor Gallagher, who scored just before halftime.\n\nDe Zerbi's side has yet to secure a win in their first four league matches, suffering two losses and two draws so far. The manager claimed that Tottenham has been unlucky during the campaign, needing to improve their finishing and score more goals. Despite the losses, De Zerbi remains confident in his team's potential, stating that they have not been fortunate against Newcastle, Everton, Nottingham, and Liverpool.\n\nSince the end of last season, Tottenham has spent over £300 million on 10 new signings, hoping to turn things around. However, De Zerbi's recent gamble of making eight changes from the previous match backfired, as they were defeated by a less-than-full-strength Liverpool team. Despite the loss, De Zerbi is optimistic about his team's direction and the quality of his players. The manager pledged to bounce back at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, vowing to find the \"click\" that will help Tottenham rise once more.",
  "summary": "LIVERPOOL, Sept 16 — Roberto De Zerbi admitted Tottenham are in a “tough moment” as he apologise...",
  "key_points": [
    "Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi calls facing tough moment after League Cup exit.",
    "Liverpool defeats Tottenham 3-1, with goals from Mac Allister, Gakpo, and Szoboszlai.",
    "De Zerbi's Tottenham has won only one of first four league matches."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Tottenham's early season struggles and League Cup exit expose a worrying trend that challenges Roberto De Zerbi's efforts to turn the team around despite significant investment in new signings.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Spurs in 'tough moment' after League Cup exit as De Zerbi says sorry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/spurs-in-tough-moment-after-league-cup-exit-as-de-zerbi-says-sorry",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:38:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "De Zerbi apologises as Spurs suffer League Cup exit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/de-zerbi-apologises-as-spurs-suffer-league-cup-exit",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:49:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}