Marcelo Bielsa on Leeds United defeat at Brighton, Robin Koch's display and Gjanni Alioski half-time exit

The Whites were without their defensive midfielder, who picked up a minor knee problem in training after a Man of the Match display against Manchester United last week, for the trip to the Amex.

Bielsa played Robin Koch in Phillips' position and felt the German international played well, pointing instead to his side's inability to control Brighton's centre-backs or bring Patrick Bamford into the game as reasons for the defeat.

"We didn't play well," he said.

"The victory for the opponent was fair. We created very little danger and it was difficult for us to recover the ball. The game was hard with the height of their centre-backs. We couldn't avoid them initiating the play, nor could we overcome them trying to get in behind.

"In the middle sector of the pitch we were trying to find variety to get in behind them.

"Yes, there was very few [chances], that's true. It wasn't because [Patrick Bamford] was isolated. It was because the ball couldn't reach the final third. I pay more attention to the construction of our offensive game."

Leeds have lost seven of nine games without Phillips this season but his absence was not the cause of today's defeat in Bielsa's eyes.

"I think the performance of Robin Koch was positive," said the head coach.

"I think he played well, it was very difficult for anyone to shine according to how the collective play went. It's very difficult to play well, he didn't play badly in a collective performance that was medium. It wasn't easy. I don't link the defeat to the absence of Kalvin Phillips."

Bielsa withdrew Bamford after an hour of fruitless toil in which he failed to get on the ball at all in Brighton's defensive third, Rodrigo coming on in his stead.

There was nothing else the head coach felt his leading goalscorer could do in a game Rodrigo also failed to impact up front.

"We had a problem in the creation prior to the ball reaching Patrick, he had no influence and could not receive the ball in positions where he could cause harm to the opponent apart from an overlap or out wide," said Bielsa.

"When we can't give the ball from the centre from a closer distance it's difficult."

Gjanni Alioski also found himself substituted after a difficult first half in which he gave away a penalty and struggled to find team-mates with his passes. Bielsa said the switch was tactical.

"I wanted to position a natural winger on the right hand side because in the first half we were able to get to that sector easily," he said.

"I thought that Dallas playing from a deeper position could create a little bit more.

"Our offensive game was weak today. I always have the idea we can compromise the opponent more by creating more danger."