Many Leeds United supporters have taken to social media to criticise the recent performance of the club captain Liam Cooper during Friday night’s defeat to West Ham United.
The 29-year-old started at centre-back alongside Luke Ayling and although based on his performance rating of 7.44/10, he was one of Leeds’ better performers according to WhoScored, that hasn’t stopped him coming in for some criticism on Twitter.
For West Ham’s winner, which was headed home by Angelo Ogbonna, it could be argued the Scotland international should have done better as he was the player tasked with marking the eventual scorer and lost out in what proved to be a decisive aerial duel.
What did these Leeds fans have to say regarding Liam Cooper’s following the defeat?
There is no player I wish had more ability than Liam Cooper. Great captain, top bloke, players love him, lovely character but it’s just so hard to watch him struggle week in week out. #lufc
— Jordan (@itsjordanbarrow) December 12, 2020
1) Ben White. One of our best loan signings, Ben was so calm and composed but also a very tough centre back. Can’t help but think if we had him instead of Cooper we would have more points on the board pic.twitter.com/Uj5IjOLU1c
— Felix (@FelixLUFC) December 12, 2020
Until we can play Koch and Loriente together we can’t defend. Cooper not up to it.
— Paul Smith (@paul_psmith60) December 12, 2020
It’s not a mystery it’s easy to solve get rid of Cooper before we get relegated it’s becoming embarrassing he panics the whole defence. As for our two forward signings for God sake try a little they were woeful #lufc
— CM (@ChrisMoulds01) December 12, 2020
Would you drop Cooper when Koch and Llorente are fit?
Yes
No
We are thin at the back. Cooper alioski are championship players
— Johan Nilsson (@juniorzalazo) December 11, 2020
Facts Cooper isn’t good enough but the fact we have two crucial CB out it’s annoying.
— . (@lms97u) December 11, 2020
It’s clear from the above responses that many of these Leeds fans don’t think the former Chesterfield man is good enough to lead their defence in the Premier League. During the summer, the Whites spent a combined £29.7m on bringing Robin Koch and Diego Llorente to the club (as per Transfermarkt), but with both having been unavailable against West Ham, perhaps it has become even clearer as to why Bielsa felt that area of his side needed significant investment following Leeds’ promotion.