Liam Cooper

Liam Cooper
Cooper with Leeds United in 2015
Personal information
Full name Liam David Ian Cooper[1]
Date of birth (1991-08-30) 30 August 1991[2]
Place of birth Hull, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3]
Playing position Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 6
Youth career
0000–2008 Hull City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2013 Hull City 11 (0)
2011 → Carlisle United (loan) 6 (1)
2011 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 4 (0)
2012–2013 → Chesterfield (loan) 10 (1)
2013–2014 Chesterfield 61 (4)
2014– Leeds United 116 (5)
National team
2008 Scotland U17 5 (0)
2009 Scotland U19 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:21, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

Liam David Ian Cooper (born 30 August 1991) is a professional footballer who plays for Championship side Leeds United. Although normally playing as a centre-back, he can also function as a left-back.

He is the current captain of Leeds. He has represented Scotland at Under 17 and 19 level. He received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad on 10 March 2016 for a friendly against Denmark.

Club career

Hull City

Liam Cooper playing for Hull City

Born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire,[4] Cooper attended Malet Lambert school and joined Hull City at Under-12 level.[5] He was in the youth team that won the Football League Youth Alliance Cup Final against Colchester 3–0, scoring the opening goal but later being sent off for a deliberate handball.[6]

On 26 August 2008 he made his first team debut for Hull against Swansea City in the Football League Cup.[4] On 30 August 2008, on his 17th birthday, he signed professional terms with the club, and featured on the bench as an unused substitute for the Premier League game against Wigan Athletic.[7] He made his first Premier League start on 26 September 2009 at Anfield in the 6–1 defeat by Liverpool.[8] Cooper signed a new three-year contract at the KC Stadium in March 2010.[9]

On 1 December 2011, after being left out of the squad to play Charlton Athletic, Cooper asked for his loan to be terminated, so he could try and gain a place in new manager Nick Barmby's setup. Huddersfield agreed, and he returned to the KC Stadium.[10] At the end of March, Hull City captain, Jack Hobbs suffered a cruciate ligament rupture and ruled him out until Christmas 2012. Cooper filled the void, building a solid partnership with James Chester in the remaining few games of the campaign.

Loan spells

Having made three first team appearances for the 2010–11 season with little opportunity, Cooper was sent on loan to League One side Carlisle United on 10 January 2011 for a monthlong loan, as part of the deal which saw James Chester end his loan spell with Carlisle and join Hull City from Manchester United.[11] The loan spell came to an early end when he sustained a hand injury in February in the match against Huddersfield Town.[12] Following a return from injury, on 4 March 2011, Carlisle signed him on a further month loan with the option to extend it for the remainder of the season.[12] Cooper decided to return to Hull at the end of the month loan rather than staying for the remainder of the season.[13]

On 8 July 2011, he joined League One club Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan.[14] After making his full debut in the League Cup match against Port Vale in August,[15] he made his league debut as a substitute in the 2–2 draw against Leyton Orient at the Galpharm Stadium on 24 September 2011.[16] His first league start came a week later on 1 October 2011 in the 4–0 away win over Brentford followed by second start three days later on 4 October 2011 in the Football League Trophy second round exit to local rivals Bradford City when Cooper was taken off at half time due to injury.[17] Cooper loan spell with Huddersfield Town came to an end on 2 December 2011.[18]

Chesterfield

Cooper joined Chesterfield on 1 November 2012, on a months loan deal. Manager, Paul Cook said: "We are delighted with the signing of Liam Cooper. He is a player that attracts a lot of interest from clubs, and not just in this division."[19]

Cooper scored on his debut in a 2–1 win over Oxford United on 16 November 2012.[20] Cooper scored again a few weeks later on 28 November 2012, in a 2–1 loss against Tranmere Rovers in the second round of the FA Cup.[21] The following month, Cooper loan spell at Chesterfield was extended until 5 January 2013.[22]

On 5 January 2013, Cooper signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Spireites for an undisclosed fee[23] and played less than an hour later in a 2–1 loss to Wycombe Wanderers.[24] He scored his first goal for the club as a full Chesterfield player in a 2–1 loss against Torquay United on 19 March 2013.[25] Cooper made 31 appearances and scored three times in all competitions since becoming a permanent signing in the 2012–13 season.

Despite picking up a pre-season injury and missing the first three games, he formed a solid defensive partnership with Sam Hird early on in the 2013–14 season.[26] Cooper then scored his first goal of the season on 12 October 2013, as they drew 1–1 with Fleetwood Town.[27] He later scored his second, in a 4–1 win over Cheltenham Town on 25 February 2014.[28] Chesterfield made it to the Football League Trophy Final, where he started and played the whole match where Chesterfield lost 3–1 to Peterborough United.[29] Cooper would overcome the final loss to score in a 2–1 win over Hartlepool United on 12 April 2014; keeping the club in the League Two title race.[30] Cooper helped earn promotion to League One, with Cooper forming a formidable centre defence partnership with Ian Evatt to help Chesterfield become the League Two Champions. At the end of the season, Cooper was named in the PFA Team of the Year along with two other Chesterfield players.[31]

On 30 July 2014, after speculation linking him to Leeds United, Leeds confirmed that they had had two separate bids rejected by Chesterfield to sign Cooper.[32] On 12 August 2014, both Chesterfield and Leeds United announced that a transfer fee had been agreed, subject to passing a medical and personal terms being agreed [33]

Leeds United

2014–15

On 13 August 2014, Cooper was sold for an undisclosed fee reported to be between £500,000 and £750,000,[34] and signed a three-year contract at Leeds United.[35] Cooper made his debut on 16 August, helping Leeds keep a clean sheet in Leeds' 1–0 victory against Middlesbrough after a late goal by Billy Sharp.[36]

On 8 November, Cooper scored his first goal for Leeds with a long range volley against Blackpool in a 3–1 win.[37] After an injury to then captain Stephen Warnock, Cooper was named as the captain in Leeds' FA Cup 1–0 defeat against Sunderland on 4 January 2015, with Redfearn describing him as a 'natural leader'.[38] [39] After the subsequent sale of Stephen Warnock to Derby County, head coach Neil Redfearn confirmed that Cooper would be the new permanent captain.[40]

2015–16

On 31 July 2015, Cooper was given the number 6 shirt for the upcoming 2015–16 season.[41] On 4 July 2015, Cooper was appointed vice-captain whilst Sol Bamba was appointed captain of Leeds United by new Head Coach Uwe Rosler, with Bamba taking over from Cooper as the club captain.[42]

On 17 October 2015, Cooper scored his second goal for Leeds United in the 1–2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion. Cooper captained the side during November and December with regular captain Sol Bamba out with a fractured toe.

2016–17

Cooper missed all of the 2016–17 pre season friendles due to a muscle injury, however returned to fitness for the opening game of the season.[43][44] He made his return from injury on 10 August League Cup fixture against Fleetwood Town.[45] His first league start came on 16 August in a 1–1 draw, Captaining Leeds against Fulham, which saw Cooper pick up the man of the match award.[46]

On 29 January 2017, Cooper was sent off against Sutton United in the FA Cup in a shock 1–0 defeat.[47] In April 2017, Cooper was given a six match ban after pleading guilty to stamping on Reading defender Reece Oxford.[48]

2017–18

On 6 August 2017, the opening day of the 2017–18 Championship season, Cooper was renamed Leeds captain, when he captained the side as Leeds beat Bolton Wanderers 3–2.[49] On 10 August, Cooper signed a new four-year deal at the club, keeping at the club until the end of the 2020–21 season.[50]

On 20 January 2018, Cooper received a 4 match ban,[51] after he was sent off for the second time in the season (also a red card against Cardiff City) after being sent off in the first half of Leeds' dramatic 3–4 loss against Millwall.[52] On 24 February 2018, Cooper scored his first goal of the season for Leeds, in their 1–0 win against Brentford.[53]

2018–19

Cooper retained the captain's armband for the 2018–19 season under new head coach Marcelo Bielsa. He scored in the opening game of the season on 5 August 2018 against Stoke City at Elland Road in a 3–1 win.[54] He scored his second goal of the season on 18 September in a 3-0 victory against Preston North End.[55]

International career

In March 2008, he was called up to Scotland under-17's for the second phase of their European qualifying campaign.[56] He was also capped by Scotland under-19 in 2009.

In December 2015, Leeds Head Coach Steve Evans revealed that Scotland Manager Gordon Strachan had been in touch regarding the possibility of calling up Cooper for the full national side.[57]

Cooper received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad on 10 March 2016 for a friendly against Denmark.[58][59] In March 2017, Cooper was called up to the Scotland squad for a friendly match against Canada and a World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia.[60]

Career statistics

As of 20 January 2018[61]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hull City 2008–09 Premier League 0000100010
2009–10 Premier League 2000200040
2010–11 Championship 2000100030
2011–12 Championship 7020000090
Hull City total 110204000170
Carlisle United (loan) 2010–11 League One 6100001071
Huddersfield Town (loan) 2011–12 League One 4000102070
Chesterfield 2012–13 League Two 292210000313
2013–14 League Two 413100060483
2014–15 League One 1000000010
Chesterfield total 715310060806
Leeds United 2014–15 Championship 291101000311
2015–16[62] Championship 391101000411
2016–17[63] Championship 110205000180
2017–18[64] Championship 240101000260
Leeds United total 10325080001162
Career total 159791130901908

Honours

Chesterfield

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Leeds United" (PDF). English Football League. p. 21. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Player Profiles". Hull City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  3. ↑ "Profiles – Liam Cooper". Paramus Catholic Athletics. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Breaking news: Cooper called up for Tigers". Hull Daily Mail. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
  5. ↑ "Liam Cooper". City Magazine. No. 37. September 2008. p. 50.
  6. ↑ "City Youngsters Win Cup After 3–0 Win". Hull City A.F.C. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Cooper Signs Professional Contract". Hull City A.F.C. 30 August 2008. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Stevenson, Jonathan (26 September 2009). "Liverpool 6–1 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  9. ↑ "Cooper signs new deal". Sky Sports. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Hull City's Liam Cooper back early from Terriers loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Carlisle United sign Liam Cooper and Liam Noble". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Carlisle re-sign defender Liam Cooper on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Cooper Heads Home". Carlisle United F.C. 5 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "Town Sign Cooper on Season Loan". Huddersfield Town F.C. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  15. ↑ "Port Vale 2–4 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  16. ↑ "Huddersfield 2 – 2 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  17. ↑ "Match Report: Huddersfield Town 2- 2 Bradford City". Huddersfield Town F.C. 4 October 2011. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  18. ↑ "Loan defender Liam Cooper returns to Hull City from Huddersfield Town". The Examiner. 2 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "Spirities swoop for Cooper". Sky Sports News (Transfer centre). Sky Sports News. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  20. ↑ "Chesterfield 2–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "Tranmere 2–1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Hull City's Liam Cooper to stay at Chesterfield until January". This is Hull and East Riding. 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  23. ↑ "Chesterfield sign Liam Cooper from Hull City". Sky Sports. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  24. ↑ "Wycombe 2–1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  25. ↑ "Slow Start Costs Spireites At Plainmoor". Chesterfield F.C. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "Cooper Hails Spireites Quality". Chesterfield F.C. 20 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "Fleetwood Town 1–1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  28. ↑ "Cheltenham Town 1–4 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  29. ↑ "Spireites Defeated at Wembley". Chesterfield F.C. 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  30. ↑ "Spireites Edge Past Pools". Chesterfield F.C. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  31. ↑ "League Two Team of the Year 2014". The PFA Official Website. 27 April 2014. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  32. ↑ "UNITED END COOPER INTEREST: Second bid rejected for defender..." Leeds United F.C. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  33. ↑ "Fee Agreed For Defender". Leeds United F.C. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  34. ↑ "LEEDS COMPLETE BELLUSCI DEAL AND AGREE TERMS FOR LIAM COOPER". The Scratching Shed. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  35. ↑ "Cooper Signs On". Leeds United F.C. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  36. ↑ "DEBUTANT SHARP BLUNTS BORO". Leeds United Official Site. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "UNITED TOO STRONG FOR BLACKPOOL". Leeds United Official Site. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Sunderland 1 Leeds 0". Sky Sports. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  39. ↑ "Leeds United: Liam is developing into a real leader says Redfearn". Yorkshire Evening Post. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  40. ↑ "Leeds United: Defender Cooper looks set to be Whites' new captain". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  41. ↑ "2015/16 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED". Leeds United Official site. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  42. ↑ "BAMBA NAMED CLUB CAPTAIN". Leeds United Official site. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  43. ↑ "SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR IRISH TRIP". Leeds United. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  44. ↑ "FULLY FIT SQUAD FOR QPR TRIP". Leeds United. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  45. ↑ "MATCHDAY: FLEETWOOD – LIVE!". Leeds United. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  46. ↑ "WOOD STRIKES TO CLINCH LATE POINT". Leeds United. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  47. ↑ "MATCHDAY: Sutton United Vs Leeds LIVE". BBC Sport. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  48. ↑ "Liam Cooper: Leeds United defender banned for six matches for 'stamp'". BBC Sport. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  49. ↑ "REPORT: BOLTON WANDERERS 2–3 LEEDS UNITED". Leeds United. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  50. ↑ "LIAM COOPER AGREES FRESH TERMS". Leeds United. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  51. ↑ "Leeds United captain Liam Cooper banned for four matches after red card". Yorkshire Evening Post. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  52. ↑ "REPORT: LEEDS UNITED 3–4 MILLWALL". Leeds United F.C. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  53. ↑ BBC Sport (21 February 2018). "Leeds 1 Brentford 0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  54. ↑ "Leeds Impress To Beat Stoke In Opener". BBC Sport. 5 August 2018.
  55. ↑ "Leeds Cruise Past Preston to stay top". BBC Sport. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  56. ↑ Cooper earns international call – Yahoo! Eurosport UK
  57. ↑ Johnstone, Darren (23 December 2015). "Gordon Strachan considers Scotland call-up for Leeds United duo". Scotland Herald. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  58. ↑ "Scotland: Six new call-ups for Czech Republic and Denmark friendlies". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  59. ↑ "Liam Bridcutt tackle: 'That's Scottish football', says Erik Sviatchenko". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  60. ↑ Wilson, Fraser (20 March 2017). "Liam Cooper gets Scotland call-up but who is he? All you need to know about Leeds United defender". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  61. ↑ Liam Cooper at Soccerbase
  62. ↑ "Games played by Liam Cooper in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Liam Cooper in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Liam Cooper in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  65. ↑ "Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
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