AliousCooper’s Leeds Future on Hold as Farke’s Focus Shifts to Wembley Glory
Liam Cooper’s contract situation at Leeds United will be addressed after the playoff final, with manager Daniel Farke insisting the captain and club are solely concentrated on securing promotion to the Premier League at Wembley on May 26th.
The 32-year-old defender, whose current deal expires next month, made an emotional farewell lap of honour with his family following Leeds’ 4-0 aggregate playoff semi-final win over Norwich City on Thursday. However, Farke vehemently dismissed any notion that Cooper’s cameo appearance was a sentimental goodbye.
“Our focus and Liam’s focus is, right now, just on Wembley because he’s one of the very few who has written already a chapter in the history of this club,” stated Farke. “We have the chance to write another chapter.”
While acknowledging Cooper’s legendary status at Elland Road for captaining the club’s 2020 Premier League promotion under Marcelo Bielsa, the German coach maintains discussions over new contracts will not commence until after their Wembley date is resolved.
“For that, yes, our focus is just on Wembley and nothing else,” Farke emphasised. “Everyone in this group can be then connected and also be called a bit like Leeds legends in the end if we finally make it.”
Cooper has been a fringe figure this season, making just eight league starts. Unless injuries strike Farke’s backline, he is likely to start the playoff final on the bench behind the manager’s preferred central defensive pairing.
Nevertheless, Farke was effusive in his praise for Cooper’s continued professionalism and leadership despite limited game time.
“I’m blessed with a really good skipper…he’s always a leader of men and always our main leader in the dressing room, on the training pitch,” Farke said. “Although he was not involved in every second on the pitch, he’s been one of our key players.”
With promotion aspirations taking precedence, Farke has deferred all talks regarding player futures until after Leeds’ decisive Wembley showdown against Coventry City, where securing a Premier League return could cement legendary status for his current squad.
Alious
