Rob Green believes Liam Cooper was ‘gambling’ in crucial moment of Leeds United defeat

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Former Leeds United goalkeeper Rob Green has been commenting on Leeds’ difficulty at defending set-pieces, laying some blame at the door of Liam Cooper for West Ham’s winning goal last night.

Angelo Ogbonna headed the winner after escaping the attention of Cooper after Tomas Soucek had earlier out climbed Stuart Dallas to equalise at Elland Road. 

Green was quick to point out that Cooper was clearly outmatched by the Italian’s size and suggested that the Scotland international gambled on winning the ball with a big jump, leaving him exposed if unsuccessful. 

“You look at Liam Cooper, marking Ogbonna here and I think just the pure size of Ogbonna, the height difference.,” Green told Friday Night Football on Sky Sports. “He (Cooper) knows he’s got to do something extraordinary to win this header and he gets caught under the ball gambling to try and win it.”

It was yet another display from Leeds United that will have plenty of Premier League teams feeling confident of getting a result against Marcelo Bielsa’s side. 

Leeds’ defending from set-pieces has emerged as their Achilles heel this season and it is nothing new. Under Bielsa’s management, Leeds’ inability to deal with corners and free-kicks has always been their biggest problem.

It is hard to see how Leeds can improve on the issue, as they simply lack the type of defenders capable of strengthening their ability in this area. 

Leeds sacrifice that to have leaner and more technically adept defensive options which helps them play the football their enigmatic coach desires. 

But considering their recent deficiencies at the back, it might be time to address this situation pragmatically.