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Liam Cooper steps up for Leeds with fantastic performance

Leeds United may have mixed em🐷otions following their draw on Southampton, with Liam Cooper definitely amongst the positi🤡ves for Jesse Marsch’s men upon his return to the side.

Cooper had not played for Leeds since their draw with Brentford back in Dไecember. His absence seemed a big blow for the Whites, with the Scotland international enjoying a really good campaign.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

But he was back in the starting lin𓄧eup against the Saints. And he went on to produce an encouraging performance as Leeds moved themselves an♑other point clear of the bottom three.

Cooper regained possession in the build-up🐻 to Jack Harrison’s goal. And there were a number of ocꦜcasions when he read the game superbly.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Marsch suggested after the contest that he had been fantastic. And it would certainly appear that t🔥he statistics back the head coach’𒊎s view up.

, no player🌃 made more interceptions or clearances than Cooper. He made four interceptions and eight clearances.

But perhaps the most remarkable number concerni🌠ng Cooper centred around the number of aerial duels he won for Leeds.

Incredibly, he managed to win 10. He was three clear of anyone else on the pitch, with Diego Llorente winning seven. Stu🥂art Dallas meanwhile, was third with six.

Liam Cooper return a massive boost for Leeds

Leeds were not perfect against Southampton. Illan Meslier needed to make a couple of superb stops. But they did l꧅ook much be♔tter with Cooper back in the defence.

Certainly, Llorente was 🌳better than he has been for a little while. And Leeds looked much better organised. Ultimately, it took a moment of magic from James Ward 𒐪Prowse to earn the visitors a point.

Leeds remain in some trouble. But they have some breathing space. And with the likes of Cooper and Kalvin Phillips back in the ranks, Leeds now have a really goo👍d chance of getting thems𒆙elves out of danger.