Hordes of Leeds United fans have been destroying Liam Cooper on social media for the defender’s “sloppy” display in Tuesday night’s 3-2 win over Millwall.
Cooper captained the Whites as Marcelo Bielsa’s side welcomed Gary Rowett’s Lions to Elland Road, with the 28-year-old centre-half opening his 20th league game of the campaign.
Bielsa has now trusted the Hull City product to open each of the seven second-tier matches since Cooper returned from a calf strain in December, which ruled him out of wins over Huddersfield Town, the Tigers and a draw with Cardiff.
Cooper could easily have had a hand in a fourth defeat in four straight games on Tuesday night, as the two-time Scotland international made a fair few errors in the first half as the visitors romped to a 2-0 lead.
He managed to recover somewhat after the break to help guide the team to a vital comeback victory, which moved United back atop the Championship table after West Bromwich Albion were beaten 2-1 at Cardiff.
Will Cooper jeopardise our promotion bid?
Yes
No
Cooper possessed the ball for 7.2% of the match on Tuesday night and took 82 touches, with which he was able to complete a Leeds-high 88% of his passes having found teammates with 59 of his 67 balls, per WhoScored data.
Neither of his completed passes were registered as key balls, while he also lost 60% of his ten aerial duels, made no successful tackles or interceptions, but did record a game-high six clearances and was successful with his only attempted dribble.
Here are some of the messages shared from fans underwhelmed by Cooper’s display on Tuesday night…
Need to replace cooper asap, he is a car crash waiting to happen every game now. he will cost us come end of seasom. Need to sign a centre half before friday
— Dave Fletcher (@djfletcher1966) January 28, 2020
Cooper has been poor recently, not the leader ya need & looks like he’s still got those mistakes in his game. Klich, Pablo bossed that 2nd half, dictated everything good (apart from that miss) 😂
— paul warrick (LUFC) (@paulwarrick3) January 28, 2020
PLAYER RATINGS: Casilla-6, Dallas-7, Ayling-7, Cooper-5, Alioski-6, White- 7, Klich-6, Pablo-8, Costa-7, Bamford-8, Harrison-7 #lufc
— Thomas 💙💛🤍 (@Leodiensian90) January 28, 2020
Great fight back , would have been a easier watch if Kilch had made it 4-2 . Cooper a bag of nerves all night.
— Andy LUFC (@AndrewRichardG5) January 28, 2020
Soooooo easy to see Cooper is all over the gaff.
— George Daniel (@georgeLUFC11) January 28, 2020
Not sure about Liam Cooper this evening. Looked mostly ok but some sloppy errors as well which could have cost dear. #lufc
— Watt The (@WattThe2) January 28, 2020
For god sake Cooper #LUFC
— Mark My Words Esq 🏴 (@eats1964) January 28, 2020
So frustrating #lufc, captain cooper started all that with slack passing, he’s not good enough simple, will he get dropped no so who’s to blame.
— Craig. (@bandforgood) January 28, 2020
In other Leeds United news, Bielsa has been urged to lay down the law with a 22-year-old.