Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has revealed the reason why he clashed with Alexis Mac Allister last season, resulting in benching the World Cup winner.
Mac Allister left Brighton this summer for Liverpool, having become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
But no player under De Zerbi has free reign to walk into his team and Mac Allister was told exactly that before a clash with Newcastle, leading to a frosty exchange in the manager's office.
Speaking to Italian newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Zerbi explained: 'Before a match with Newcastle, I told him: "Alex, you need to rest tomorrow, so you'll go on the bench.