Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has criticised Leandro Trossard's attitude and has confirmed the attacker will not be involved against Liverpool on Saturday.
The 28-year-old was a standout performer for the Seagulls before the World Cup break, recording seven goals and three assists in 13 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable hat-trick against Liverpool in a 3-3 draw at Anfield in October.
However, Trossard has since struggled to rediscover his form following a disappointing World Cup campaign with Belgium, and he has not featured in Brighton's last two fixtures against Everton and Middlesbrough.
Trossard is understood to have been training alone in the last few days and has been carrying a minor calf problem.
However, recent reports have suggested that the attacker has been kept away from the first-team squad by De Zerbi due to concerns over his attitude.
The Italian head coach has since confirmed such speculation and has revealed that Trossard will not be selected in Brighton's matchday squad for their Premier League clash against Liverpool at the Amex Stadium this weekend.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, De Zerbi said: "Leandro knows very well my opinion. The last session before Middlesbrough when he understood he wouldn't play, he left the session without saying anything. It is not good."
"If he wants to play with Brighton, with me, he has to work hard. He has to run, he has to be in the right way, because we are not a big team – a Real Madrid or Barcelona or another big big team – we are Brighton and we need to play and work like the other players who play at Brighton.
"I am open with him, I am open to take a step back. If you want to play, I am open to listen to him but, he has to understand with me I only want players who work hard, who play for the team 100%."
Trossard has been heavily linked with a potential exit from the Amex in recent months amid interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, the latter now managed by former Brighton boss Graham Potter.
A recent report claims that Spurs are keeping tabs on the attacker's situation, while a separate report states that the North London club have had a verbal approach rejected by Brighton.
Trossard has less than six months remaining on his contract, although Brighton are believed to have an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
Asked whether Trossard is likley to leave the club in January, De Zerbi added: "I don't know the other things about the transfer market - if he wants to change team or not - it's not my problem, I am a coach only.
"I would like Leo in my squad but only if he wants and if he works hard."
Trossard joined Brighton from Genk in the summer of 2019 and has since made 121 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 25 goals and providing 14 assists. body check tags ::
