The two players Tottenham must sign to become title challengers under Roberto De Zerbi

Steven Gerrard believes Tottenham can challenge for the Premier League title under Roberto De Zerbi - but only if they sign a world-class striker and a new goalkeeper.

After a slow start to the new season in terms of results, back-to-back league wins over Coventry City and Chelsea have lifted morale in north London.

De Zerbi was backed with a £394million spending spree in the summer and his new signings are beginning to flourish, with Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes among those to impress in the 2-0 win over their London rivals last weekend.

Things are looking up for Spurs, but Liverpool legend Gerrard still has concerns over their lack of firepower in the attacking area - as well as in between the sticks.

He says De Zerbi must find the club's next Harry Kane, who was crowned the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner this week, and consider signing a new shot-stopper who is capable of performing for a title contender.

Speaking on the Overlap Daily, brought to you by Sky Bet, Gerrard said: "Richarlison is not prolific. He’s not prolific, and he’s obviously upset the manager. He doesn’t deserve to play; don’t feel sorry for Richarlison.

"They’ve got a lot of good players in that front line: Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel. But if they had a Harry Kane now, and a world-class goalkeeper now, this Tottenham team would challenge, in my opinion, because they’ve got everything else really good.

"Sandro Tonali was excellent at the weekend (against Chelsea). Fernandes, his best performance in a Tottenham shirt.

"I loved James Maddison before he went off. I hope to God he’s not injured, because he gives this team personality and character. He’ll take the ball anywhere, and I think he lifts other people around him. I hope to God it’s only a small issue.

“So this Tottenham team are set in a lot of areas, but they haven’t got that killer nine, and they haven’t got that world-class goalkeeper. Antonin Kinsky gave them a lot of problems with overplaying. He’s a good goalkeeper, but I’m not sure he’s top.

"You’re only as good as your No.1 and your No.9, and I think there’s an opportunity for Tottenham to really go world-class level in them areas. And this Tottenham team will fly. They were excellent at the weekend.”

Gerrard was full of praise for Spurs, who produced a mature performance in awful conditions at Stamford Bridge to secure a well-deserved 2-0 win.

The former midfield maestro was impressed with what he saw from the north Londoners, but he was left bemused by the tactics of Chelsea manager and former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso.

He added: "Chelsea were poor at the weekend, and even though he’s a mate of mine, I thought tactically Xabi and his staff were slow and off it themselves at the weekend.

"I watched that game closely and Tottenham Hotspur were outstanding. They played them off the pitch, they dominated the midfield area, they looked like they were going to score more goals than they did, and I think if they had a real clinical striker, this Tottenham team would go to the next level very fast.”

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