Liam Cooper has looked to be a completely different player for Leeds United this season.
In a season that has seen so many changes at Elland Road, few things have surprised Leeds fans more than the form of Liam Cooper.
Before this campaign began, Whites fans would have been forgiven for thinking that signing another centre-back was essential for Thomas Christiansen, with Kyle Bartley returning to Swansea at the end of his excellent loan spell and leaving the side with few options to pick from.
Had Leeds fans been told that Cooper would feature in four of the side’s first five league games, then some of the supporters may have feared how vulnerable the back four would prove to be – even with cult-hero Pontus Jansson alongside him on a number of occasions.
However, Cooper has not only raised his game, but has actually arguably just about outshone Jansson and the rest of his other centre-back partners during the early stages of this season.
As well as some excellent challenges and brilliant clearances, Cooper has won plenty of plaudits from the Leeds supporters for the leadership that he has shown – which has been especially valuable given that former captain Liam Bridcutt began the season on the periphery of the squad before leaving permanently for Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window.
And Christiansen will be hoping that, upon the side’s return following the international break, Cooper can continue to prove himself to be Leeds’ surprise of the season during a campaign that has already provided several surprises for the Yorkshire side.
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