LEANDRO TROSSARD will be left out of Brighton’s squad for their clash with Liverpool on Saturday after manager Roberto De Zerbi criticised his attitude.
The Belgian, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham in the January transfer window – with Arsenal also monitoring his situation.
He was an unused substitute in the Seagulls’ 4-1 Premier League victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
And Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi then omitted him from his squad altogether for their 5-1 win against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last weekend, with the head coach citing a calf problem.
Now the Brighton boss has confirmed he will be absent against Jurgen Klopp’s men this weekend.
In his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi said: “Leandro Trossard isn’t on the list for next game.
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“The last session before [the] last game, when he understood he wasn’t playing, he left the session without telling me anything.
“I told him I don’t like this attitude.”
Trossard has contributed 25 goals and 14 assists in 121 appearances for Brighton since arriving from Genk for £15million in 2019.
His contract expires in the summer, although the club are understood to have the option of a 12-month extension.
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Spurs have been linked with the Belgium international for some time as they bid to bolster their squad in an attempt to secure a top four place.
After dropping him for the win over Everton, De Zerbi said: “Trossard is a good player but I want him at 100% of his possibilities.
“I don’t know if after the World Cup he is suffering from something but I didn’t see him at his maximum.
“I don’t know [if it is physical or mental] but I am a coach.
“To play with the best first XI is possible and for the moment I didn’t see him in the best condition to play.”
Brighton are currently flying high in eighth in the Premier League table.
They will leapfrog Liverpool into seventh with a win on Saturday afternoon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
