---
title: "‘Very well’ – De Zerbi raves about Tottenham player after Liverpool defeat"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2026/09/16/very-well-de-zerbi-raves-about-tottenham-player-after-liverpool-defeat/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Tottenham News"
published: "2026-09-16T09:59:10Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T17:05:37Z"
---

# ‘Very well’ – De Zerbi raves about Tottenham player after Liverpool defeat

**It was another sobering night for Tottenham as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.**

Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dom Szoboszlai sealed the deal for the Reds as Conor Gallagher’s second-half strike proved to be a mere consolation.

Tottenham, however, will take a few positives from the game as their overall performance was energetic, while a handful of players impressed.

And after the game, Roberto De Zerbi heaped praise on Martin Dubravka after his official debut for the club between the sticks.

## De Zerbi praises Tottenham goalkeeper Martin Dubravka

“Good. He’s a good guy, good goalkeeper,” said De Zerbi via [Football London](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/fixtures-results/every-word-de-zerbi-said-34623562) when asked about Dubravka’s debut.

“I’m sorry, and it’s my responsibility. Because maybe in the middle of the first half we didn’t recognise the clear man-to-man situation.

> Here's every word Roberto De Zerbi just said as he seemed to name the Spurs four attackers he wants to start with, explained why James Maddison is not ready yet, gave a Pedro Porro update, spoke about Martin Dubravka's debut, Mohammed Kudus and more. [https://t.co/chdXE3UAsh](https://t.co/chdXE3UAsh)
>
> — Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) [September 15, 2026](https://x.com/AlasdairGold/status/2099985438006014344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

“And we had to do totally different than play close, close, close and short. But it’s a process. It was the first game for Dubravka. In the second half, he played very well.”

Dubravka is an experienced campaigner and has been playing English football for a while now, so he knows exactly what it takes to deputise in cup competitions.

He couldn’t have done much for any of Liverpool’s goals, but otherwise, his performance was surely a big positive for Tottenham.