Tony Dorigo has praised Liam Cooper in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post after the Leeds United captain delivered a ‘really impressive’ performance on his return from injury.
Jesse Marsch started the centre-half for the first time since taking charge at Elland Road as the Whites hosted Southampton. Cooper had not featured in the Premier League since his 15th game of the campaign under Marcelo Bielsa on December 5 due to a hamstring issue.
The defender suffered the blow just 15 minutes into the Elland Road outfit’s 2-2 draw with Brentford whilst still goalless. He had played every minute of their previous 14 fixtures this term entering the clash. Leeds managed to keep three clean sheets over his earlier games.
Marsch chose to play Cooper’s long-awaited return cautiously given the length of time the Leeds star missed through injury. He left the Scotland ace on their bench at Wolves before the international break, before opting to insert him in place of Pascal Struijk last Saturday.
Cooper was unable to prevent Marsch’s first winning run as Leeds boss ending at home to Southampton in a draw. United took their first wins under the American against Norwich and Wolves, and now sit 16th and eight points from the drop after the Saints stalemate.
Dorigo in awe as Liam Cooper ‘really impressive’ on Leeds star’s injury return
Despite missing four months through injury, Cooper impressed Dorigo with what he gave Leeds against Southampton in Saturday’s 1-1 draw. The 30-year-old was not flawless, but made a number of key interceptions, tackles, was strong in the air and red the game well.
Cooper particularly did well to restrict Che Adams, whilst Diego Llorente struggled to keep Armando Broja from causing issues. He may have also ended the day with another clean sheet had James Ward-Prowse not arced a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner, as well.
“To think of the length of time Cooper has been out, for him to play like that was really impressive,” wrote Elland Road hero Dorigo.
Marsch will hope Cooper shows no ill-effects of his first full 90 since December ahead of Leeds visiting Watford. Saturday’s meeting at Vicarage Road could see the Whites stretch their margin to the relegation zone, with the Hornets the nearest challenger in 18th-place.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
