Richarlison, the Brazilian forward for Tottenham Hotspur, publicly displayed his disappointment after being omitted from the team's squad for Tuesday's Carabao Cup match against Liverpool. He posted a crying emoji and the word "Why?" on social media in response to the decision by manager Roberto de Zerbi.
This exclusion comes amid ongoing discussions about Richarlison's contract situation. He is reportedly seeking to be released from the remaining nine months of his current deal, although Tottenham holds the option to extend it by a further 12 months. A proposed deadline-day transfer to Everton for £35 million reportedly collapsed when the forward could not agree on personal terms with the Merseyside club.
The forward's absence is a blow to Tottenham, who are still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season under De Zerbi. The team has failed to score in their opening four league matches, a historic first for the club. This underwhelming start has occurred despite the club's significant investment of over £300 million in strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window.
Last season, Richarlison was Tottenham's leading scorer across all competitions, netting 12 goals. He had a notable record against Tuesday's opponents Liverpool, scoring four goals in seven matches during his time with Tottenham. He joined Spurs from Everton in 2022, having previously played for Watford and Everton, and has earned 54 caps for the Brazilian national team.