Liam Cooper provides update on fitness level and hails key Leeds United influence after Whites return

LEEDS UNITED captain Liam Cooper says he has lost no fitness from his recent spell on the sidelines and now has all eyes on Saturday's clash against Brighton.
By Lee Sobot
Published 14th Jan 2021, 17:18 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Cooper came off in the 72nd minute of last month's 6-2 reverse at Manchester United and then missed his side's next three league games with an abdominal strain.

The centre-back then returned when starting last Sunday's third round FA Cup clash at Crawley Town with Cooper playing the full first half before coming off at the interval of a game which ended in a 3-0 defeat.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa said he had to be careful about how many minutes he afforded to Cooper with fellow centre-back Robin Koch still out injured and with Diego Llorente having also had issues with a muscular problem.

ALL EYES ON BRIGHTON: For Leeds United captain Liam Cooper, pictured back in action in last weekend's 3-0 loss at third round FA Cup hosts Crawley Town. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.ALL EYES ON BRIGHTON: For Leeds United captain Liam Cooper, pictured back in action in last weekend's 3-0 loss at third round FA Cup hosts Crawley Town. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.
ALL EYES ON BRIGHTON: For Leeds United captain Liam Cooper, pictured back in action in last weekend's 3-0 loss at third round FA Cup hosts Crawley Town. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.

Kalvin Phillips is also suspended for this coming Saturday's Premier League hosting of Brighton.

Cooper, though, says that even during his three-game absence, fitness coach Ruben Crespo has kept him in top condition.

“Getting injured at any time of the season is difficult, but you just have to get your head down, let it heal and work hard," said Cooper, speaking to LUTV.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Ruben (fitness coach) has been tough on me, so I’ve not lost any fitness.

“It was good to get 45 minutes in a disappointing game last weekend, but all eyes are on this weekend now and I’m looking forward to that.”

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-how-crawley-towns-former-towie-star-mark-wright-was-used-make-leeds-united-look-even-more-stupid-or-bad-3101082

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Related topics:Liam CooperMarcelo BielsaBrightonRobin KochManchester UnitedLeeds

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.