Paul Robinson surprised Robin Koch didn’t start in Leeds United draw v Liverpool
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist, each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson is baffled that Marcelo Bielsa left Robin Koch out of the Leeds United starting line-up ahead of the draw with Liverpool on Monday.
Diego Llorente’s later equaliser earned a superb point for the Whites at Elland Road but it should have been Koch who started alongside the Spaniard in the defence, rather than Pascal Struijk in the eyes of Robinson.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I must admit, I’m surprised Struijk started instead of Robin Koch because he’s played well but that may tell you where his fitness levels are.
“The manager’s obviously not taken a risk, he’s obviously not fully fit to play 90 minutes yet.
“Struijk did another good job but alongside Llorente, it’s a lot easier to play alongside a good player and someone who’s playing well and he’s doing that at the moment.”
Koch, 24, joined Leeds for £13million in August but has only made 14 appearances for the Yorkshire giants.
The Germany international missed 17 top-flight matches due to a knee injury he sustained in December but had played in three matches as a substitute before he wasn’t used by Bielsa on Monday night against Liverpool.
Koch had come on late to help secure wins over Fulham and Sheffield United in March and April before playing 27 minutes of the stunning 2-1 win at Manchester City.
However, Bielsa didn’t feel as though he needed to include Koch versus Liverpool and that could be down to the fact he was chasing the game after Sadio Mane put the Reds ahead.
It remains to be seen whether Koch will finally return to the starting line-up this weekend when the Whites play Manchester United at Elland Road.
Struijk and Llorente’s partnership was a strong one against Liverpool while Liam Cooper is still suspended for another two matches.
Bielsa is a fan of consistency but can he really leave out a player such as Koch?
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