Liam Cooper’s final game in a Leeds United shirt looks set to be a Championship play-off final.
Cooper effectively confirmed in his pre-match programme notes before last night’s win over Norwich City that he would be leaving, and he could not have asked for a better way to sign off at Elland Road.
After a cagey first leg affair, Leeds were absolutely rampant in the return fixture last night as they demolished the Canaries in an emphatic 4-0 win.
Ilia Gruev’s incredible free-kick got the scoring underway early on, with both Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter adding to the scoreline before half-time.
Leeds could have had a number of more goals after the interval but were forced to settle for just one, as Crysencio Summerville deservedly got the on the scoresheet from a Junior Firpo cut-back.
Cooper delivers teammates resounding Elland Road message
As mentioned, Cooper all but confirmed he will be departing his boyhood club this summer with his contract set to come to an end.
The Leeds skipper is not expecting to be offered a new one and so as such, it will bring an end to his incredible 10-year stay at Elland Road, having arrived for just £600,000 from Chesterfield in 2014.
Leeds supporters were keen to show their appreciation for Cooper throughout the night, with one of the loudest cheers coming when he came off the bench, having also been serenaded every time he came out to warm-up.
Cooper has been an exemplary captain of the football club and will be desperate to lead Leeds to another promotion in his final game, which prompted him to deliver a resounding message to his teammates on the pitch.
Before the players’ lap of honour, they all gathered in the centre circle with Cooper leading the talk for one final time on home soil, as captured by the EFL’s YouTube channel.
He said: “One more big job, yeah. One more to go, yeah!” The rest is fairly inaudible as the Leeds supporters enjoyed all of the post-match celebrations.
Cooper one of six who could’ve made final Elland Road appearance
Irrespective of how the play-off final goes, this summer looks as though it is going to be the end of an era at Leeds.
Cooper was one of six players making potentially their final ever Leeds appearance at Elland Road last night, alongside those who have already moved on like Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling.
Though Sam Byram was out injured and Jamie Shackleton was an unused substitute, they are both out of contract next month.
Jaidon Anthony, Connor Roberts and Joe Rodon will also see their loan deals come to an end after the play-off final.
Andoni Iraola has already confirmed Anthony will be heading back to Bournemouth, while there is still uncertainty of what will happen with Roberts.
There is considerably more hope Rodon will be a Leeds player permanently next season.
