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News
BBC pundit says Liam Cooper was poor in Leeds defeat to Palace
Simon Walton has told (9/10; 16:16) that Liam Cooper was poor for both of the goals Leeds United conceded in their defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Jesse Marsch’s men will be scratching their heads wondering what quite happened at Selhurst Park. The Whites made an electric start and took an early lead through Pascal Struijk.
However, Leeds gradually allowed Palace further and further back into the game. And the home side were able to score in each half to secure the three points.
Cooper made an error for the equaliser. The Scotland international passed up the opportunity to clear the ball and was forced to give away a needless free-kick after spending too long in possession. From that, Patrick Vieira’s men were able to equalise.
And it did seem that he was beaten way too easily by Ebere Eze for the winner. Cooper jumped in as if Eze was about to take a shot. However, the attacking midfielder anticipated the attempted block and rolled the ball past with ease.
Liam Cooper was poor
Cooper has only just got back into the side after a pre-season spent sidelined with injury. And Walton admitted that he did not cover himself in glory with his performance at Selhurst Park.
“You can’t defend the indefensible and that was poor from Coops today in both goals,” . “Listen, he’s another one of those players that I think we’ve accepted that that’s going to happen from time to time.
“Those moments happen. And we’ve got four centre-halves at the club. Are any of them setting their stall out to be number one? I mean, Pascal’s done fantastically well at left-back, so I’ll rule him out because he’s not really had the opportunity.”
Cooper was arguably Leeds’ best centre-back over the course of last season. And some thought he was excellent against Aston Villa last week.
However, he has his limitations. He is a real leader. And it is hard to imagine that Jesse Marsch dropping him for the game against Arsenal next weekend.
But there is no question that Leeds’ chances of getting a positive result were dealt a massive blow by a real off-day for the captain.