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Marsch issues one-word verdict on Liam Cooper display in Leeds draw

Jordan Harris

Sat 2 April 2022 17:49, UK

Jesse Marsch fantastic to describe the performance of Liam Cooper after the centre-back made his return to the Leeds United side in their draw wit𒈔h Southampton o♍n Saturday.

Leeds have moved another point further away from the bottom three in the Premier League. The 🌜Whites may have felt that they missed an opportun🎐ity however, as Jack Harrison’s opener was cancelled out by James Ward Prowse’s free-kick at Elland Road.

But there were definitely some positives for Marsch’s men. And the returns of Cooper and Kalvin Phillips were certainly on that list. Neither had played for the Whites since Decemberﷺ due to injury.

Marsch suggested ahead of the game that it was unlikely that both wo💟ulꦺd start against the Saints. And ultimately, it was Cooper who got the nod.

The Scotland interna♊tional recaptured his earl🍌y season form. He was excellent alongside Diego Llorente, dealing superbly with the threat of Armando Broja. He also made a number of crucial interventions when the visitors did threaten.

And Marsch suggested th☂at he was extremely impressed by what he saw from the captain, a𝕴s well as Phillips.

“Great. Liam was fantastic. He’s such a big presence in our t♋eam. And then you can see the quality from Kalvin. That’s a big step for us as a team and for them,” .

“And having t🎃hem more at 100 percent fitness and sharpness will be massive for us.”

Cooper return an underrated boost for Leeds

Cooper has his limitations. He has come in for criticism at various stages during his Elland R൩oad career. However, he has received a number of plaudits from the fans this season.

He has been outstanding for Leeds. And it seemed a real blꦓow to lose him for a number of months in December.

Of course, much of the focus was on the absences of Phillips and Patrick Bamford. But Coop𝄹er has shown how much he was missed upon his return.

Hav🦩ing Cooper back could be a massive boost for Leeds in the weeks to come.