- The striker had been due to return from his three-game suspension after red card
- Joao Pedro is the Seagulls’ joint top Premier League goalscorer with 10 this term
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Brighton star Joao Pedro was absent from the club’s 3-2 win against Liverpool after getting into an alleged altercation with a team-mate during training, according to reports.
The Seagulls hosted the Premier League champions amid their post-title handover, with the hosts claiming home victory which could keep European football in play for next season.
But the home side were forced to claim the win without Pedro, who was set to return to the squad after serving a three-game suspension for a red card picked up against Brentford in April.
Pedro was judged to have flung his arm recklessly at Nathan Collins, striking him on the face and leaving him floored on the turf.
The 23-year-old was handed a straight red card – which was later checked by VAR, who deemed their review inconclusive and left the decision with referee Tim Robinson – and put the visitors down to 10 men to see out the 4-2 away defeat.
But although Pedro had missed the previous Premier League tie against Wolves, his absence from the squad on Monday came as more of a surprise.
Joao Pedro (above) is thought to have been absent from Brighton’s clash with Liverpool on Monday night due to a training ground altercation involving one of his Seagulls team-mates
The forward had previously been serving a three-game suspension after picking up a red card
Seagulls manager Fabian Hurzeler described his absence as being down to ‘private reasons’
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler described the gap in his squad as being due to ‘private reasons’ after full-time.
‘(Tariq Lamptey) has an injury with his knee, and Joao had private reasons why he was not available,’ Hurzeler said when pressed. ‘So, let’s see how it is going to continue.’
As per the Athletic, Pedro is believed to have got into an altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke in the build-up to facing off with Wolves on May 10.
But while Pedro was sidelined, Van Hecke was available to feature for the full 90 minutes both against Wolves and at the Amex against Liverpool on Monday evening.
Brighton declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by the outlet.
Mail Sport have contacted Brighton for further comment.
Pedro is the club’s joint top scorer this season in the domestic top flight, with 10 goals to his name, and contracted to the club until 2028.
Van Hecke – who was his club’s Players’ Player of the Season – previously heaped compliments on his team-mate’s penalty-taking abilities in March.
Jan Paul van Hecke (back) took part in Monday’s clash with Liverpool and the earlier Wolves tie
The Brazilian forward is the Seagulls’ joint top Premier League goalscorer, with 10 this term
‘I would put it all on him,’ Van Hecke said after beating Fulham 2-1 when asked if there was anyone else he would want to take a crucial penalty.
The 24-year-old then went on to compare him favourably to Mohamed Salah.
