Leeds’ stunning side that beat Brentford to stay in the Premier League in 2022 – Where are they now?
Leeds United are set to return to the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, a ground that will hold a lot of memories for plenty of the travelling fans.
Back in the 2021-22 campaign, Leeds beat Brentford 2-1 to ensure their stay in the Premier League in what was a dramatic match.
After going 1-0 up in the second half thanks to a Raphinha penalty, Sergi Canos equalised for the hosts late on before being sent off minutes later.
However, the visitors did not give up hope, and Jack Harrison would net a 94th-minute winner to keep the Peacocks in the top-flight for another year.
Now, with Leeds set to travel to Brentford once again, MOT Leeds News looks back to where the starting XI from the clash is now.
Illan Meslier
Illan Meslier remains at Leeds, although he is now an outcast in Daniel Farke’s side.
The Frenchman lost his place in the starting XI last season after making a series of costly mistakes in their promotion campaign.
Now, Meslier is widely expected to leave Leeds United, with the goalkeeper’s contract up in the summer.
Robin Koch
Robin Koch remained at Leeds United for their relegation campaign the following season before he was loaned out to Frankfurt.
After impressing for the German club, the defender earned a permanent transfer to the Bundesliga outfit in 2024.
Koch remains at Frankfurt to this day and was selected in the Europa League Team of the Season last campaign.
Liam Cooper
A modern-day legend at Elland Road, Liam Cooper departed Leeds United after they failed to win the playoffs in the 2023-24 season.
From here, he moved to CSKA Sofia, where he played a handful of times before he was released by the Bulgarian outfit.
Since then, Cooper has joined Sheffield Wednesday, where he looks destined to be relegated to League One this season.
Diego Llorente
Diego Llorente struggled throughout much of his time in Leeds and was sent out on loan to Roma in January 2023.
This loan would be extended again until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Despite being a regular for the Serie A side, Roma did not sign Llorente permanently, and he would eventually leave Leeds for Real Betis in July 2024, where he remains today.
Junior Firpo
One of the most recent players to leave Leeds in this lineup, Junior Firpo stayed at the Peacocks upon their relegation to the Championship.
From here, the full-back became a star player and was highly important in their promotion campaign last season.
However, upon the expiry of his contract, he elected to leave Leeds in the summer and made a permanent move to Real Betis.
Kalvin Phillips
Leeds’ former star man has not found much joy since the famous Brentford victory.
The match against the Bees would prove to be his last as he joined Manchester City later that summer.
However, despite winning numerous trophies at the Etihad, he is now an outcast, receiving little to no game time.
Loan moves to West Ham and Ipswich Town in recent years have proved to be unsuccessful, and it is unclear what is next for the former England international.
Sam Greenwood
Sam Greenwood would struggle to establish himself in the first team after the Brentford game and would be sent out on loan upon Leeds’ relegation.
Despite impressing at both Middlesbrough and Preston North End, Farke was unwilling to put the midfielder in his plans
As a result, upon Leeds’ promotion back into the top-flight, Greenwood was sold to Polish side Pogon Szczecin.
Raphinha
By far the most successful player on this list, Raphinha has gone on to be a star since he left Leeds for Barcelona in 2022.
The Brazilian international has played a key part in multiple trophies, including two La Liga titles.
Last season, Raphinha also won the Champions League Golden Boot and is often considered one of the best players in the world.
Rodrigo
Rodrigo left Leeds United after their relegation from the Premier League in 2023 and joined Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan SC.
Since then, he has been loaned out to Al-Gharafa SC, but has since returned to his parent club.
Rodrigo has continued his goalscoring form in the Middle East and has netted multiple times this season in all competitions.
Jack Harrison
The hero of the game, Jack Harrison remains at Leeds United, although he is certainly a more controversial figure now.
When the Peacocks went down, the winger quickly jumped ship and moved to Everton for two years on a loan deal.
However, upon his return, Farke quickly made him part of his plans, and Harrison has been a regular in the Premier League since.
Joe Gelhardt
Joe Gelhardt also remains at Leeds United, although he is not currently in Farke’s plans.
Instead, the attacker is on loan to Hull City, where he is looking to help them return to the Premier League.
To date, Gelhardt has been sensational for Hull and has netted 10 times in 19 Championship appearances.
It remains to be seen if this will tempt Farke to bring him back into the fold.
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