Agbonlahor digs at ‘very dangerous’ Cooper after what he’s seen at Leeds
Liam Cooper can have no complaints about his red card in Manchester City’s shock 2-1 defeat to Leeds United, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward claimed the Whites’ captain was lucky not to break Gabriel Jesus’ leg with his “very dangerous” challenge.
Cooper was initially shown a yellow card by Andre Marriner for his tackle on the Manchester City forward before he reviewed the footage on the pitchside monitor.
Marriner subsequently overturned his decision and Cooper will now miss Leeds’ next three Premier League games.
Marcelo Bielsa will be unable to call on the 29-year-old in the Whites’ vital games with Liverpool, Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Pascal Struijk was brought on to replace Patrick Bamford as Bielsa shuffled his pack at the Etihad Stadium.
Asked for his assessment of the incident, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “It’s definitely a red card.
“You can’t make tackles like that in the game these days.
“I think he’ll know that when he looks back at it. It was definitely a red card.
“It was very dangerous, another day and he breaks Gabriel Jesus’ leg so he has to be very careful with his challenges in the future.”
Cooper has struggled with injuries this season but has still started 23 of the Yorkshire giants’ 31 Premier League games.
The Hull-born defender has started their last two games alongside Diego Llorente who Leeds plan to build their defence around next season.
In other news, Ezgjan Alioski’s replacement at Leeds United is already at Thorp Arch.