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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has backed a \u201cmature\u201d Cole Palmer to learn from the mistakes that led to the England forward\u2019s red card against Tottenham.<\/strong><\/p>\n Palmer was sent off for two bookable offences during Chelsea\u2019s 2-0 loss to their London rivals on Saturday as Spurs won a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge for just the second time in 36 years.<\/p>\n He was initially booked for barging into Mateus Fernandes before, with the Blues 1-0 down, Palmer was sent off 10 minutes from full time following an ugly stamp on Conor Gallagher.<\/p>\n \u201cWe spoke, and for sure he (Palmer) knows the mistakes he made and things that you can avoid,\u201d Alonso told reporters on Tuesday on the eve of Chelsea\u2019s League Cup fourth-round tie away to top-flight rivals Liverpool.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that this is not going to be repeated and he\u2019s aware of that, he\u2019s mature and he knows what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Palmer started the season in blistering form but has not scored for five games and will miss the trip to Anfield due to suspension.<\/p>\n Alonso, though, said the 24-year-old remains in high spirits.<\/p>\n The Spaniard added: \u201cHe\u2019s in a good space, he connects very well socially with his teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cThey like him, they want Cole smiling, they want Cole having fun, enjoying his game, because when we see that, we have a better day.\u201d<\/p>\n Alonso, meanwhile, said forward Joao Pedro will be sidelined for \u201ca few weeks\u201d due to a thigh injury.<\/p>\n The striker, who has scored five goals in the Premier League this season, did not feature against Spurs.<\/p>\n Alonso said the Brazilian felt something in training and had \u201ca lot of fluid\u201d in his thigh.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has an injury on his thigh,\u201d Alonso explained. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be a few weeks out. Let\u2019s see how many. We don\u2019t want to predict on that, but not ready for the next few games.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a key player. We will miss him. But we have to be ready to deal with the injury and be competitive and win games with the players we have available, starting tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the situation. We\u2019re ready to fight for it and show a good level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n