Leeds United exit on the cards for defender Liam Cooper after Javi Gracia decision v Crystal Palace
Leeds United were condemned to one of their worst-ever Premier League defeats when they lost 5-1 to Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Sunday (9 April).
The Whites were humiliated at home to Roy Hodgson’s side, with the Eagles having struggled for goals all season before their trip to Elland Road.
The defeat has served as a real wake-up call for the Yorkshire outfit, who sit just two points off the relegation zone and six points off rock bottom.
The result has left many associated with the club scratching their heads, with an inquest currently underway as to how Palace could have come away from Elland Road with a resounding three points.
But one much clearer outcome from the game involves the future of centre-back Liam Cooper, who was once again forced to watch on from the bench under Javi Gracia.
It’s been a common theme for the club captain, with Cooper handed just 16 Premier League minutes under the Spaniard so far.
The defeat against Palace highlighted just how unwilling Gracia is when it comes to handing the defender minutes on the pitch, with the manager opting to bring on Rasmus Kristensen for the under-pressure Junior Firpo on the hour mark.
Firpo was enduring a torrid time from Palace winger Michael Olise, with the left-back yellow carded in the first half for his ongoing troubles.
Gracia had the option of replacing Firpo with Cooper and pushing Pascal Struijk out to left-back, but the boss instead opted to play Kristensen on his weaker side.
Discussing whether or not he was tempted to bring on Cooper and play Struijk at left-back, Gracia said (Yorkshire Evening Post): “No. I thought that Junior had a yellow card and at that moment with the game open with Olise, with many spaces they will be dangerous.
“I tried to put one player fresh there and Rasmus can play, as you know, we’ve spoken many times about Rasmus, he can play in different positions. That was my decision.”
Scotland international Cooper has been limited to just 14 Premier League appearances this season as he finds himself out of favour at the club he joined way back in 2014.
Fellow centre-back Max Wober has hit the ground running at the club since his January arrival, with Cooper barely handed a look in despite being the man tasked with leading the Whites on the field when given the chance.
Now 31, Cooper looks set to be one of the first names out of the exit door at Elland Road this summer, with a major shakeup expected to take place regardless of whether or not the club are relegated to the Championship.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites were reportedly the only team in January to make a proper offer for Azzedine Ounahi, who was at Angers at the time.