‘Explaining to him’: Daniel Farke says Liam Cooper was coaching 24-year-old Leeds United player

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Liam Cooper is a senior player in the current Leeds United squad, but he has not played much this season.

The Leeds United central defender has made three starts and three substitute appearances in the Championship so far this campaign.

Liam Cooper has scored one goal in those games.

Cooper did not start for Leeds against Norwich City this past weekend.

The West Yorkshire club took on Norwich away from home at Carrow Road in the Championship this past Saturday.

Leeds came from two goals down to beat Norwich 3-2.

Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk were the two starting centre-backs for the Whites.

Cooper came on as a substitute in the fifth minute of injury time.

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has raved about Cooper.

Farke has noted that the 32-year-old centre-back was coaching Pascal Struijk before the game.

Struijk, 24, has scored one goal in 12 Championship matches for Leeds so far this season.

Daniel Farke on Leeds United duo Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk

Farke told Leeds Live: “I know the players on the pitch today scored goals like Cry are in the spotlight, but if I could choose a player today, Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper what they have done, they are already club legends and then to accept, ok, we are back in the Championship and they have to wait until 90 minutes to come in for the final minutes, to be still on it to help the players.

“Liam before the game, he was talking and sitting next to Pascal, explaining to him to defend in this way, that way.

“Luke showed unbelievable leadership so really, I love my whole group and I am tempted to play them all, but two thirds of the squad you have to disappoint each game so let’s see who we choose for the next game.”

Liam Cooper still an important figure at Leeds United

I do think that Liam Cooper will not be a regular in the Leeds United starting lineup this season.

Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are clearly ahead of Cooper in the pecking order.

Rodon, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has made eight starts and one substitute appearance in the Championship this season.

However, Cooper will have a big role to play for Leeds this season.

The 32-year-old is hugely experienced at Championship level.

He is a leader.

In my view, there will be times when Cooper will start and make an impact.

Leeds are aiming to win automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

The Whites are third in the Championship table at the moment with 22 points from 12 matches, six points behind Ipswich Town, who have played 11 games.