Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has taken steps to address the club’s ongoing goal-scoring difficulties as the team prepares to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. Despite a significant summer rebuild reportedly approaching £400 million, Spurs remain without a goal in their first four Premier League matches this season.

De Zerbi, who has been at the helm since last season, sought to boost team morale and cohesion by taking the squad out to the Italian restaurant Bacchanalia in Mayfair earlier this month. He previously used a similar approach last season, which coincided with an upturn in form that ultimately helped Tottenham avoid relegation. The 47-year-old coach described the dinner as a pleasure and personally covered the cost, saying it was a way to bond with his players.

The north London club also faces a longstanding challenge at Anfield, where they have not won against Liverpool in 17 attempts dating back to May 2011. De Zerbi hopes the Carabao Cup match will provide the platform for Spurs to break their goal drought and regain confidence.

In addition to team-building efforts, De Zerbi has been utilizing video analysis to improve his players’ decision-making in the final third of the pitch. He emphasized the importance of both collective and individual work, focusing on key technical aspects such as assists, crossing, and attacking runs.

The manager highlighted striker Dominic Solanke as a player with considerable goal-scoring potential, provided he can maintain fitness and mental confidence. De Zerbi noted Solanke’s impressive performance during an away match at Brighton last season as evidence of his capabilities and stressed the need to place him in the right conditions to succeed.

Acknowledging the club’s disappointing start, De Zerbi issued an apology to fans for the lack of victories and goals so far. He reiterated his commitment to the project he has been building at Tottenham, expressing belief in his players and urging them to maintain humility and focus. “Change, change, change, and nothing changes,” De Zerbi said. “Or you stay humble, with the right spirit to work. I believe in my players. I hope they believe in themselves like I believe in them.”