Tottenham Hotspur confirmed that Brazilian striker Richarlison will not feature in the Carabao Cup quarter‑final against Liverpool, despite the competition’s eligibility rules allowing clubs to field players excluded from the Premier League roster. Manager Roberto De Zerbi made the decision unequivocal, stating in a pre‑match press conference that “Richarlison will NOT play even if he’s available. Not even in the Carabao Cup, no.” The declaration came after the 29‑year‑old was omitted from Tottenham’s 25‑man Premier League squad earlier this month, a move that effectively sidelines him for the season unless a transfer materialises.

Richarlison, who has netted 32 goals in 135 appearances for the club, responded with a terse one‑word post accompanied by a sad emoji, signalling his disappointment without offering further comment. The striker’s frustration stems from a summer saga in which he rejected a move to Everton, a decision that appears to have hardened his relationship with the North London side. Since the failed transfer, speculation has linked him with Brazilian side Vasco da Gama and Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, yet he remains under contract with Tottenham, who retain a 12‑month option to extend his deal until the end of next season.

De Zerbi, who took charge of Spurs at the start of the campaign, explained that the situation has not changed since pre‑season. He recalled a conversation in which he asked Richarlison about a contract extension; the forward declined, prompting the manager to cease applying pressure on a player intent on leaving. “He’s a good player, yes. He was important last season, very important. But I had to stop myself putting pressure on the players if they show me they want to leave,” De Zerbi said. The manager added that the club’s recent recruitment, including a loan for Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, reflects a shift in attacking options while the Richarlison impasse persists.

The exclusion has broader implications for Tottenham’s