Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has hailed Liam Cooper following his return to the side and insists it’s a ‘big plus’ for the club going forward.
The Leeds skipper made his first Premier League appearance of the season as ten-man Leeds ground out a point at home to Aston Villa last weekend.
Luis Sinisterra was sent off early in the second half but the Whites survived a 19-shot onslaught from their guests to emerge with a point and their second clean sheet of the season.
Cooper admitted after the game that the club train with a man down and were ready for the challenge.
When asked by Football Insider how promising he felt it was to see Leeds hold out for a draw Whelan told Football Insider:
“It’s massive.
“Cooper coming back into the side was a big plus, I thought he was brilliant on the evening.
“His grit and determination really helped us. We had that organisation and desire, and all that gave us the first clean sheet of the season.
“We saw a different side to Leeds to really grind out that result, throwing bodies on the line and digging in.
“It was a solid defensive performance, and we really chose the right times to go and counter-attack as well.
“I commend the players for the way they battled for the point.”
TIF Thoughts on Whelan’s comments…
Would you drop Diego Llorente for Liam Cooper?
Yes
No
BBC broadcaster Adam Pope insisted that the 31-year-old centre-back ‘set the example’ at Elland Road last Sunday.
Indeed according to SofaScore the Scotland international led his team for aerial duels winning four and producing a game-high eight clearances as the Yorkshire side repelled all that was thrown at them.
Given the ‘massive liability’ that Diego Llorente has become over the past 18 months, Jesse Marsch will be glad to have been able to call upon Cooper and he will most certainly keep his place for the trip to Crystal Palace this Sunday.