Some Leeds United fans have been discussing Liam Cooper’s performance against Brentford, after LUFC Data shared InStat Football’s figures highlighting the centre-half’s remarkable match actions stat from Tuesday night’s draw.
Cooper opened the action at Griffin Park alongside Ben White for the 23rd time this Championship season, as he maintained his place in the starting line-up for the tenth match in succession.
Our captain last missed a second-tier fixture on December 14 as we drew 3-3 with Cardiff City, and helped ensure we took a point at Brentford on Tuesday night when he reacted well to prod home a goal-line scramble to equalise.
It was the 28-year-old’s first goal of the season across all competitions, though some still lament his display in Greater London having had a hand in Brentford’s opener, by passing the ball back to Kiko Casilla rather than playing possession down the line.
Do the club need to move on from Cooper in the summer?
Yes, he's Calamity Cooper
No, he's Super Duper Liam Cooper
Cooper certainly atoned for his role in Said Benrahma opening the scoring – beyond notching the equaliser – as InStat Football’s data showed that the £5.4m-rated defender also recorded the highest percentage of successful match actions (88%) by any outfield player.
The two-time Scotland international was involved in a magnitude of moments at Griffin Park, with Sofa Score figures also showing him to have won two of five ground duels, three of five aerial duels, made five clearances, one interception, one successful tackle, 60 accurate passes (84%), blocked two shots, took 88 touches and completed his only attempted dribble.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Cooper recording a game-high percentage for successful match actions at Griffin Park…
Captains performance
— Turpin (@Turpin70138410) February 13, 2020
I have a huge problem with cooper, passion 10/10, ball distribution 8/10, ball in front of him 8/10 but once ball is past him 2/10 defending corners 1/10 ….if only it was about the passion
— Richard Northard (@north_northard) February 13, 2020
Always plays well next to white
— Burls (@burley_josh) February 13, 2020
Super duper @LiamCooper__
— pete woo (@Petewoodhead99) February 12, 2020
Still a calamity in defence
— Hendo (@HendoLJ) February 12, 2020
.@LiamCooper__ My captain.
— Jonny (@cyclingjonny) February 12, 2020
Partly responsible for the Brentford goal. Should have played it down the line.
— peehair Dollar (@Pierredollar) February 13, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club will listen to offers for a one-time international this summer.