Leeds United did not have a great day in the Premier League on Saturday as they lost 4-1 to Crystal Palace. The overall team performance was not good but many fans have been slating Liam Cooper for how he played as an individual.
Leeds were somewhat unlucky as a big VAR decision did not go their way. However the defender, who recently returned from injury, struggled to compete against a Palace attack containing Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze.
He picked up a 6.7 rating (SofaScore) as he lost three ground duels and aerial duels. He also made two fouls, was yellow carded, and lost possession 16 times.
The 29-year-old captain returned from injury last Monday against Leicester City. In the two games in which he has returned, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have now shipped eight goals. This has seen many fans suggest that the top division is a bit too difficult for the Scotsman, with one highlighting that he is ‘struggling’
The fixtures now get quite difficult for Leeds, as they face Arsenal and Everton, and Bielsa has a big decision to make on whether Cooper should start in those games.
Here is what Leeds fans have said following Cooper’s performance
Cooper, Ayling and Alioski not up to this level. Give the ball away too often and get caught by good movement of opposition strikers. Meslier also exposed too often hence conceded 8 in 2 games #lufc
— Dan Torończak (@dantoronczak) November 7, 2020
Time to stop kidding ourselves. Ayling/Cooper/Dallas/Roberts/Harrison are being found out and Meslier is a rabbit in the headlights (and the only alternative is dodgy) and (as they say “here’s the kicker) without Bamford’s goals we’d be in the bottom 5. #lufc
— MGbutlufchappy (@MGbutlufchappy) November 7, 2020
Wide open again and again, cooper in no mans land again Ayling tucked inside allowing Zaha loads of space . Still say Buelsa was wrong changing starting 11 from Villa game. If were getting hammered v CP we are in trouble.Since Cooper has come back were are flooding goals #lufc
— Nige ⚽️🍺🍾 MOT (@hectorswhites) November 7, 2020
I think Llorente needs to replace Cooper. But will #Bielsa play with 2 right footed CBs #lufc
— Neil Taylor (@neil907) November 7, 2020
No need to panic, whatsoever. Frustrating game. Missing key players and a bit of rhythm. Defensively, I really do think Cooper is struggling. Constantly caught out of position, and distribution was poor today. Bamford’s hold up play first half was 👌🏻.#LeedsUnited #lufc
— 🏆 Adam Clark 🏆 (@addss2) November 7, 2020
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don’t think Liam Cooper should be in the team, we signed a Spanish international in Diego Llorente for a decent amount of money so I would like to see him given the chance when he’s back from injury #lufc #mot
— Ryan (@LeedsUtdRyan) November 7, 2020
In other Leeds news, Cooper was not the only player to be slated for his performance. Have a read who else supporters were not happy with here!
