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‘Best I’ve ever seen’: Marsch says £35,000-a-week Leeds ace is almost always flawless

Giuseppe Labellarte

Fri 26 August 2022 7:15, UK

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has described Liam Cooper’s attitude and leadership skills as the best he’s ever seen.

The Whites captain has endured a difficult summer following a freak Achilles injury he sustained in pre-season.

Cooper is  to have picked up an Achilles issue while training on a treadmill during the off-season.

The 30-year-old sat out of all five of Leeds’ pre-season friendly games and missed a significant amount of training.

As a result, Cooper has had to be eased back into action and wasn’t risked against Southampton or Chelsea.

The ace eventually returned – and led Leeds out – against Barnsley, impressing in a 45-minute outing.

Marsch, speaking to ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton, said Cooper “feels great” and is “ready” for this weekend.

The Elland Road first-team coach now has a selection headache, with Diego Llorente and Robin Koch having also done well.

Leeds Live asked Marsch how hard it would be to leave the captain out.

“Liam is going to play a big role in the team no matter what,” began Marsch.

“But, yeah, Diego and Robin have done really well.

“I told Liam even before we put him on the pitch, he hadn’t trained much before this match and he it was the same when he came back from his injury in the spring.

“And when he came back again the second time after he picked up a little knee injury.

“Every time we put him on the pitch he plays flawlessly almost.

“So in terms of a mentality and being a professional and a leader, he’s the best I’ve ever seen.

“We will need him. Trust me, he will be used and he will be needed.”