Leeds United news: Pundit issues game-changing Liam Cooper claim
Alan Hutton has insisted the return of Liam Cooper has been a game-changer for Leeds United after Saturday’s win over Watford.
The former Scotland full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 30-year-old is now part of a “solid base” that the Whites can build on.
Significantly, Leeds kept their first clean sheet since November in the 3-0 win at Vicarage Road.
It was only Cooper’s second start since he suffered a serious hamstring injury in early December.
Hutton admitted Leeds had been forced to put square pegs in round holes due to various absences during the season.
However, he insisted a regular, settled back-four gives the Whites “something to build on”.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They’ve obviously been working hard on it.
“I think that was something that was glaringly obvious under Bielsa, defensively they weren’t good enough.
“Obviously, Cooper coming back in, Llorente playing, Ayling at right-back and Dallas fitting in at left-back. I think when you’ve got that solid base, it always helps.
“For a long time now they’ve been putting midfielders at full-back, putting full-backs at centre-half. It’s been difficult.
“So this is something to build on now. Playing against a rival team, you’ve scored goals and got a clean sheet. You want to go and do it again, repeat that and build your confidence.
“That’s what it’s all about, so it’s a really good start.”
Right-back Luke Ayling has been used as a centre-back this term due to injuries.
Pascal Struijk, who was on the bench against Watford, also featured regularly during Cooper’s absence.
Leeds now sit 16th in the Premier League table, nine points off the drop zone.
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