De Zerbi Backs Solanke to Rediscover Form Before Liverpool Trip 2026

Roberto De Zerbi has backed Dominic Solanke to rediscover his best form as Tottenham prepare for a tricky Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool. The head coach insists the striker remains central to solving Spurs' goalscoring problems despite a frustrating start to the season.

Solanke, a £55m signing from Bournemouth, has yet to hit the heights that convinced Tottenham to invest heavily in him. His pre-season was disrupted by an injury sustained on the club's tour of New Zealand and Australia, and he was largely ineffective in the 0-0 home draw with Everton on Saturday. Yet De Zerbi, who knows Solanke well from their battles in the Premier League, has no doubts about his quality.

Why De Zerbi Remains Confident in Solanke

De Zerbi remembers being amazed at how well Solanke played for Bournemouth against his Brighton team in September 2023. Brighton won 3-1, but Solanke scored and caused problems throughout. That performance left a lasting impression on the Italian coach, who now believes he can bring the best out of the 29-year-old at Tottenham.

"He is a sensitive guy," De Zerbi said. "He needs love, he needs confidence. But I have no doubt he will score goals for us." The head coach has made clear he has left no stone unturned in the mission to solve Tottenham's goalscoring problem, and Solanke is central to that plan.

Solanke's Premier League Record

Solanke is the only forward in De Zerbi's squad to have enjoyed a prolific season in England's top division. He scored 19 times for Bournemouth in 2023-24, which convinced Tottenham to pay £55m for him. The 29-year-old has 22 additional goals in the Premier League, 12 of them for Spurs. That track record offers hope that he can turn things around.

Tottenham's Attacking Options

De Zerbi also has Omar Marmoush, who scored seven times in the league for Manchester City in the second half of 2024-25 after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in January. However, apart from Solanke and Marmoush, the pickings for De Zerbi's attacking players have been slim in the competition. Tottenham have not found the net in their four matches in the Carabao Cup, although they did beat Charlton 5-1 at home in the second round.

Comparing Solanke and Marmoush

Both strikers bring different qualities to the team. Solanke is known for his link-up play and work rate, while Marmoush offers pace and directness. The table below compares their recent Premier League statistics.

While Marmoush has adapted quickly, Solanke's overall body of work suggests he can still be the main man. De Zerbi's faith in him is unwavering, and the upcoming match at Anfield could be the perfect stage for him to prove his worth.

Key Takeaways

• De Zerbi backs Solanke to find his best form despite a slow start at Tottenham.
• Solanke scored 19 Premier League goals for Bournemouth in 2023-24, earning a £55m move.
• Tottenham have struggled for goals in the Carabao Cup, failing to score in four matches.
• Omar Marmoush provides competition but Solanke remains key to De Zerbi's plans.

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