Richarlison was forced off with injury in the first half of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.
A Cody Gakpo goal just beyond the hour mark brought the tie level following Lucas Bergvall’s late strike in the first leg. The Lilywhites spent the majority of the clash in their own half with one rare moment forward seeing Richarlison run down the channel and seemingly pick up another injury.
The Brazil international thumped the turf in frustration before receiving treatment. ITV commentator Sam Matterface suggested it was a calf issue with the 27-year-old having suffered a number of issues in that area since joining from Everton.
As a result, the decision was quickly made by Ange Postecoglou to bring January deadline day signing Mathys Tel on for his debut after joining the club just a few days ago on loan from Bayern Munich.
Despite most of the game taking place away from him, Richarlison was prominently involved in the first half. Just a few minutes into the clash, he was on the receiving end of a firm Virgil van Dijk elbow just below the chin.
That incident was cleared of violent conduct by VAR with it deemed it was not worthy of a red card, football.london understands. Richarlison was later fouled by the Liverpool captain which saw him offer a hand up, only to pull it away at the last minute as the Spurs striker reached out.
With Tel coming on, he looks set for more minutes than both he and Postecoglou perhaps expected with Dominic Solanke still out. Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert are some of the other attackers missing with James Maddison also unavailable.
