Jesse Marsch has described Liam Cooper as the best leader he has come across during his time in the sport. The Leeds United skipper made his return to action on Wednesday night after missing pre-season and the opening three Premier League weekends with a niggling Achilles issue.
The defender only played 45 minutes against Barnsley, but it was hugely beneficial as he looks to get himself up to speed and work his way back into Jesse Marsch’s first-choice XI. Leeds will travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, with the club looking to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign, and it seems as though Cooper will be part of the travelling party.
However, he isn’t expected to start the game against the Seagulls with Marsch set to stick with Diego Llorente and Robin Koch in the heart of defence. The pair have started the season well at Elland Road and produced eye-catching displays during the club’s last league outing against Chelsea by keeping the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz quiet to keep a clean sheet.
The partnership of Llorente and Koch may prove difficult to break into for Cooper and the Scotland international could be forced to bide his time before an opportunity arises. However, Marsch is confident that Cooper can still make an impact, whether he’s in the side or not.
The head coach has also handed Cooper some assurance that his time in the side will come.
“Liam is going to play a big role in the team no matter what,” Marsch said ahead of this weekend’s clash on the south coast. “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 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.”
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