‘At the end of the day’… Leeds player explains why it was ‘difficult’ under Daniel Farke

This consistency of personnel has given those listed plenty of confidence, but has meant that other players have been unable to look under the Leeds manager during the 2023-24 campaign.

Mateo Joseph for example deserved to start in the league after goals against Chelsea and a goal against Watford. Karl Darlow expected to play more when he joined from Newcastle last summer.

Another is captain Liam Cooper, who spoke about his lack of game time this season to the Yorkshire Evening Post. Cooper suffered injuries but was forced to watch from the sidelines by Chief Farke.

Liam Cooper discusses his lack of game time at Leeds under Farke

The left-handed centre-back was only given 11 starts all season and 19 games in total. He started on the first day of the season but was injured scoring the first of two goals against Cardiff.

Cooper is expected to leave Leeds this summer with his contract set to expire, bringing to an end a 10-year spell at Elland Road and nearly 300 appearances. Now he discussed the lack of playing time this term.

“It was difficult. Obviously, at the end of the day, I want to play as many minutes and as many games as possible. But you have to come to terms with it. Obviously I got injured at a difficult time.

“It’s always been hard to get hurt like that. It was hard, but you have to take on a different role. Keep the boys motivated, lead by example, standards in training and off the pitch. I think I did that.”

Cooper may have played his last game for the club

Speaking ahead of the play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich, Cooper wrote in his program that it was a pleasure to captain Leeds. He suggested he knew his time at Leeds was up.

Of course, he could sign a new deal and continue his legacy at Leeds. But the odds are that if Leeds win against Southampton on Sunday, he will not sign a new deal, while failure to get promoted could see him stay.

It remains to be seen if Cooper gets any playing time on Sunday, but it’s not a game where Farke can split appearances for the sake of it. But who knows, Leeds may have to call on Cooper.

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