LIVERPOOL - Roberto De Zerbi admitted Tottenham are in a “tough moment” as he apologised for their League Cup exit in a dismal 3-1 defeat against Liverpool on Sept 15.

After a woeful start to the Premier League season, Tottenham’s hopes of a morale-boosting cup run came to a dispiriting end at rain-lashed Anfield.

They were swatted aside by Liverpool, with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai scoring for the Reds.

Conor Gallagher’s reply, which came with Tottenham trailing 2-0, was their first goal against top-flight opponents this term.

De Zerbi’s fourth-bottom team are without a win in their first four league matches, losing twice and drawing twice.

The Tottenham head coach claimed his team have been unlucky this season.

“We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, but we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result,” he said.

“I think, unfair, but we have to accept and to be stronger than this unlucky moment.

“I’m honest with myself and I’m honest with you. I think in these five, six games, we have been for sure not lucky with Newcastle, with Everton, even with Nottingham and tonight as well.”

Tottenham’s only win this season has come in the League Cup against second-tier Charlton.

After successive 17th place finishes – including avoiding relegation on the final day of last season – the north London club spent over £300 million (S$513 million) on 10 new signings since the end of last term.

Making eight changes from last weekend’s draw with Everton was a gamble that backfired for De Zerbi ...