Leeds United have started their new season in the Championship in a productive manner, having collected 11 points from their first 5 league outings after wins against Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest and draws against Preston North End and Fulham. The Whites have looked purposeful, industrious and willing under the tutelage of Thomas Christiansen and have been hitting the right chords. In the process, one of the players who has proved his mettle is Liam Cooper.
Cooper was the third choice centre-back for Leeds United last season and was handed merely 11 appearances by Garry Monk as the West Yorkshire based club came very close to earning a playoff spot before squandering their chances away owing to their sporadic run of form during the business end of the season. Kyle Bartley was taken back by Premier League outfit Swansea City after his productive loan spell last season, which left Christiansen very little to choose from.
The 26-year-old was tested initially and he didn’t disappoint at all and went on to form an excellent partnership with Pontus Jansson at the heart of Leeds United’s defence. In 4 Championship appearances so far, Cooper has bagged an assist apart from cultivating 1.3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 7.8 clearances and 0.8 blocks per game on an average and has received very positive reviews so far from fans, football pundits and media. It has been evident that he has upgraded his game and in all fairness, he has proved to be an asset more productive than Jansson this season.
He has been reading the dangers coming forth from the offensive endeavours of his opponents and has judged his actions in a stupendous manner.
Apart from neat works at the back with his commendable challenges and excellent clearances and interceptions, another aspect of himself which he has rendered to the Yorkshire based outfit is his leadership skill. Cooper has marshalled the defenders well, has set himself as an example and has really been a surprise package so far.
Leeds United created the pedestal for themselves last season under Monk’s reign and it is implied that they would be keen to better their credentials this season and aim to mount a serious challenge for promotion. Leeds United shall regroup after the international break and in order to keep their fine run intact, Christiansen would keep his fingers crossed and hope that Cooper keeps delivering to his utmost potential in the upcoming fixtures.
