‘Best I’ve ever seen’: Marsch heaps praise on Leeds star, only played once this term

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Jesse Marsch has heaped praise on the mentality and professionalism of Leeds United captain Liam Cooper during Thursday’s press conference – as per the club’s YouTube – ahead of Saturday’s clash against Brighton on Saturday.

Cooper, who turns 31 next week, made his return from a freak achilles injury on Wednesday night. The skipper captained the Leeds side during a 3-1 win over League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, gaining 45 minutes.

It comes after Cooper stepped on a treadmill over the summer after finishing the season in excellent form – only to tweak his achilles. Robin Koch and Diego Llorente have partnered eachother at centre-back superbly in his place.

Asked if Scotland international Cooper will get game time this season, with the form of Koch and Llorente, Marsch responded. He said that Cooper will be a big part of the side, branding his mentality “the best I’ve ever seen”.

“Liam is going to play a big role in the team no matter what. Diego and Robin have done well. I told Liam before yesterday he hasn’t trained much but when he does return from injury, he plays flawlessly.

“In terms of mentality, a professional, a leader, he is the best I’ve ever seen. He will be used, he will be needed,” Marsch told his latest press conference, with Cooper expected to be in the matchday squad to take on Graham Potter’s side.

Marsch: Mentality of Leeds captain Cooper ‘best I’ve ever seen’

In terms of transfer value and what he has given the side, Cooper has been of the club’s best-ever signings in terms of value for money. Bought for a bargain £500,000 from Chesterfield back in 2014, Cooper still remains a key player.

That is despite being signed for a club in the bottom half of the Championship, and still remaining captain in the Premier League. He has played 247 times for Leeds since then, proving to be as crucial as ever last season.

Indeed, Marsch’s comments are more than fair. Cooper embodies what Leeds fans want from their players. Endeavour, work rate, steely hard-working performances. Tough-tackling, strong, Cooper is one of Leeds’ best modern-day players.