Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson's praise of Leeds United defender Liam Cooper while on international duty for Scotland could well remind Javi Gracia of the "important" role the Spaniard said the centre-back still has to play this season, starting with Saturday's game against Arsenal.
Cooper played the final 15 minutes of Scotland's 2-0 win over Spain and helped his side see out a historic win against the European giants. Replacing Kieran Tierney - who is now an injury doubt for Arsenal - the Leeds man looked calm and composed during his brief cameo.
On and off the pitch, Cooper's influence in both his club and national side can be felt, with Tuesday night's victory over Spain causing Liverpool's Robertson to hail the Whites skipper as "the main man" on his social media after the full-time whistle blew.
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Although taking on Arsenal at home in the Premier League is arguably the toughest game that any side currently has bookmarked in their fixture list for the rest of the season, the likes of Bournemouth - for 96 minutes - have shown that it is possible to get something from the trip to the nation's capital.
It might not necessarily be the odds-on situation, but there is the possibility that Gracia's side find themselves holding on to a slender lead in the match heading towards the closing stages. Cooper's late cameo for Scotland could well have reminded the Leeds head coach of the role he has to play within his side.
And the former Watford boss is all too aware of what the 31-year-old has to offer, saying the following before Leeds' 4-2 victory against Wolves: "Liam has been out of the team for some time, now he is with the team. He can do many things on the pitch but he is very important out of the pitch. His personality can help us in this moment. He's ready."
Just how ready Cooper is, is yet to be seen. Max Wober's injury doubt may well see the centre-back used in some capacity; but even if he doesn't start against Arsenal, his cameo against Spain has shown Gracia the perfect way to integrate him back in the team should it be needed on the weekend.
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