Liam Cooper was handed his first Championship start for Leeds United since New Year’s Day last night.
The Whites were held to a 2-2 draw by Watford at Vicarage Road in a performance which was certainly not at the standard seen prior to the international break.
Until yesterday’s game, Leeds had still not actually conceded from open play in the calendar year of 2024, with much of that down to the partnership Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon had formed at centre-back.
However, due to injuries such as Ilia Gruev’s, Farke opted to break that up last night and so Liam Cooper was brought back into the starting XI. It is fair to say it was a change that did not work.
Leeds conceded twice from open play in the first half with Cooper far from covering himself in glory for the second. Not only did he lose the initial header to Emmanuel Dennis, but he then also allowed him to cut inside just moments later and fire into the corner.
BBC journalist shares what he noticed about Cooper when he was subbed last night
Farke eventually reverted back to what has worked so well in the last few months just after the hour mark, as Cooper was brought off for Junior Firpo.
That allowed Ampadu to drop back in at centre-back, with Sam Byram moving over to the right and Archie Gray into central midfield. From then on, Leeds dominated the game.
Cooper is now into what looks set to be the final few weeks of his 10 years as a Leeds player, and so he will be desperate to contribute in some capacity to the promotion run-in.
However, yesterday proved that he should perhaps be leading off the field rather than on it, with BBC Radio Leeds journalist Jonathan Buchan noticing he looked ‘deflated’ when he was brought off.
“He looked pretty deflated actually did Liam Cooper when he came off and took his seat in the dugout down below us here.”
Farke cannot afford to start Cooper again this season
It is unfortunate to say considering what a brilliant captain he has been for Leeds over the last few years, but Farke really cannot afford to start Cooper again in the run-in.
Not only did his inclusion break up such a formidable centre-back partnership, but his lack of pace also seems to make those around him, such as Rodon, a bit more on edge.
On a number of occasions last night Rodon was forced to get round on the cover, but he can’t do everything at the back and it is particularly unhelpful when you also conside Gray was not at his best at full-back.
Even if Ilia Gruev is not fit, hopefully on Monday night Farke will revert back to his trusted selection. Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo back four, with Gray and Glen Kamara as a midfield two.
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