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Pundit slams Leeds star for ‘hiding’ as Liam Cooper delivers stinging verdict

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper, October 2021

Leeds United forward Rodrigo was “hiding” in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton and offered his side nothing in attack, one pundit claimed.

The Whites returned from the international break with hopes of victory following their first of the season against Watford. However, the Saints dominated and eventually came through winners on Saturday.

Leeds did have key players missing. While Kalvin Phillips is still nursing an injury, Raphinha featured for Brazil in the early hours of Friday morning, UK time.

Nevertheless, Marcelo Bielsa’s men remain with only one win this season.

Against the Saints, they only had three shots, none of which were on target. According to Michael Dawson, who was watching the match for Sky Sports, Rodrigo played his part in such a statistic.

“Rodrigo was non-existent. He was hiding,” the pundit said (via Leeds Live).

“You talk about centre-forwards getting service, he got none of that. He couldn’t even put himself about.

“Leeds just didn’t get after them, it was the opposite way around. Southampton just hounded them all over the park and they couldn’t get out.”

Leeds not giving up on Noa Lang

Leeds not giving up on Noa Lang

Leeds still remain interested in attacker Noa Lang, as Kalvin Phillips touted to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Chelsea loanee Armando Broja scored the winner in the second half. He combined with Nathan Redmond to put the hosts in front.

Leeds captain Liam Cooper, who played alongside Diego Llorente in the back line, admitted that his side did not deserve to win.

Leeds got what they deserved

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“We conceded the first half, that’s as abrupt as it is,” Cooper told LUTV.

He added that Leeds were always “going to struggle” as they lost first balls and second balls, despite them enjoying more possession overall.

Cooper said: “We started the second half well and then conceded on the counter-attack.

“When you go behind in this league, it’s always hard to come back into the game, we stuck at it and that is the only positive we can take really.

“You can’t give first half performances like that and we have to learn from it.

“We’ve got to put it right and if there is any team in the league that is going to analyse it and put it right, it is us. We will train hard next week to try and get the result.”

Leeds face Wolves – who came back spectacularly to beat Aston Villa 3-2 – in their next Premier League assignment.


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