Liam Cooper completed 90 minutes for Leeds during their victory over Bolton on Sunday – and the club’s supporters were thrilled on Twitter with his performance.
The 25-year-old captained the Whites for the opening day of the Championship as they won 3-2 away to Bolton.
Thomas Christiansen’s reign started in perfect fashion, with a brace from Kalvin Phillips and a Chris Wood header securing the three points.
However, the Yorkshire giants were made to work hard by recently promoted Bolton and had to deal with a defensive crisis, with both Gaetano Berardi and Matthew Pennington being forced off injured.
Leeds centre-back Cooper turned in a captain’s performance in defence and numerous blocks prevented Bolton from getting an equaliser.
The defender had to make do with a back-up role last season at Elland Road behind Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley, but proved on Sunday that he can play a vital role in the new campaign.
Leeds fans were ecstatic with Cooper’s efforts against Bolton and feel he dominated his defensive battles.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Cooper has been class. #LUFC
— Ollie (@LeedsLeedsLeed5) August 6, 2017
Ayling and Cooper have been absolutely outstanding today. #LUFC
— Josh Birch (@JTEBirch) August 6, 2017
Cooper has been excellent #lufc
— Berardi breezer (@Ken_Bates_PA) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheRealDC1/status/894248323317723136
https://twitter.com/lufc1990/status/894249231141261312
https://twitter.com/DeanoPortsLUFC/status/894249987256840192
https://twitter.com/benjaminlufc/status/894250600564707329
https://twitter.com/LufcPip/status/894259153790808064
Cooper made just 18 appearances last season for Leeds, but could now be set for a more prominent role under Christiansen.
The Scotsman has quite often been used as a scapegoat by the club’s supporters, but he managed to change their minds at the weekend.
He showed the defensive side to his game as he commanded the backline, despite some of his long-range passing being slightly off the mark.
There is a vacant position to fill alongside Jansson in the defence, with Cooper and Pennington both showing their qualities against Bolton.