Liam Cooper shares what he told Leeds teammates immediately after they were relegated

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Liam Cooper has shared details of what he told his Leeds United teammates in the wake of relegation last season.

Cooper was speaking to members of the press, including the Yorkshire Evening Post, following Leeds’ 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.

It was Leeds’ first win under the era of Daniel Farke following a tough few weeks of work on the training pitch since returning from the disappointment of last season.

Leeds have already lost a number of players from the squad that saw them relegated in May, with seven first team members of the 2022/23 squad having departed.

Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wober (to be confirmed Monday) have all left on loan, while Rodrigo has moved to Qatar.

Cooper shares what he told Leeds teammates after relegation

Speaking in a post-match interview at the Pirelli Stadium, Cooper revealed how he told the dressing room to make sure they secure a move away this summer if they aren’t prepared to fight in the Championship.

He said: “After the Tottenham game last year when our fate was decided I was one to speak up in the changing room and I made it clear, if you don’t want to be here next season – I won’t repeat what I said, it was one of those.

“That’s the way it’s got to be. To play for this club you’ve got to invest in it, you’ve got to give your life for it and certainly those in the stands won’t accept anything else apart from that. That was the message and the message is still the same. We need players who are invested.”

He may not be the best footballer in the world but you would be pressed to find a better captain than Cooper and this is just another example of what a leader he is.

Those players who left on loan are unlikely to be welcomed back by supporters, particularly if Leeds are promoted this season, and it feels like Cooper shares that view.

For him to get over the disappointment of relegation and deliver that sort of message to his teammates so quickly after relegation is a testament to him.