David Woods

Sat 11 July 2020 10:30, UK

Leeds United skipper Liam Cooper is part of the Championship’s best defence but has had to play second fiddle to Ben White this season, with the Brighton loanee getting the plaudits week-in, week-out.

However, Cooper stepped up to the plate in the 5-0 rout of Stoke on Thursday night with White, uncharacteristically, putting in a shaky display at the back.

Cooper was a rock but also got himself on the scoresheet with a beautifully taken goal, Leeds’ third of the night.

It was a proper striker’s finish as he found himself deep in the Stoke penalty area when the ball broke to him.

Cooper got the recognition his performance deserved from BBC pundit Noel Whelan.

Talking on BBC Radio Leeds (Thursday, 5pm) Whelan said, “It was a five-star performance from a top side and that’s why Leeds are top of the Championship.

“Five fantastic goals shows sharing is caring. The Leeds players work so hard for each other and create so many chances for each other.

“It was great to see Liam Cooper getting on the scoresheet. He had a fantastic game.”

Cooper was awarded a towering 8.7 rating by WhoScored after the game and the incredible thing is that he wasn’t even the top-rated Leeds player.

That went to Helder Costa who was awarded the man-of-the-match with a 9.0.

So many Leeds fans focus on Ben White at the back but he couldn’t do it on his own.

White made a big mistake in the first half which could easily have led to Stoke taking the lead in the game and that could have set a very different tone for the evening.

By contrast, Cooper was absolutely flawless and his goal was the cherry on top. His finish wasn’t what you’d expect from a centre-back, but a real poacher’s finish.

The ultimate reward for Cooper will be a shot in the Premier league with Bielsa, which will be the culmination of a lot of hard work after Leeds rescued the centre-back from League One and League Two.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: Expert claims Leeds promotion rivals have been handed an edge in race for PL