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Marcelo Bielsa says Leeds United lost to QPR because of an injury sustained by Liam Cooper.
The Whites were beaten 1-0 on Tuesday evening, losing further ground on top two Norwich City and Sheffield United in the Championship, with Cooper suffering a head injury in the first half.
What’s the word?
Leeds enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening 45 minutes at Loftus Road but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Joe Lumley.
Cooper was forced to receive treatment for a head injury in the closing stages of the half, and Bielsa believes that his absence ultimately cost his side their rhythm.
Indeed, Luke Freeman scored the only goal of the game just four minutes after the interval.
Speaking to reporters, per Leeds-Live, he said: “We didn’t take advantage of the first half. In our best moment in the first half, we had Liam Cooper out so we couldn’t dominate as we had been doing.
“In the first half, apart from the first minutes, our team started to dominate the game and create danger until the last 10 minutes where Liam Cooper was absent we couldn’t keep dominating.
“The goal was arriving at maturity at that moment, but our project stopped with having Liam Cooper out. In the first five minutes, they had five good minutes, with energy at the beginning, and it was the same case at the beginning of the second half and they scored the goal.”
Most important player?
Bielsa’s words will be of little consolation to Leeds fans, who had hoped to see their side move top of the table.
But it will surely be a boost to Cooper, who has been praised to the moon by his manager.
Indeed, Bielsa’s words suggest that Cooper is held in the highest esteem by the club’s coaching staff and that he ultimately believes that the defender is the most important player in his squad.
The Argentine may well be right, with his enforced absence robbing Leeds of their territorial dominance, as well as their confidence.
QPR, after all, immediately smelled blood in the water, and took advantage.
Had he not been injured, Leeds may not have conceded, and they may not have lost ground in the title race.
Bielsa, ultimately, will be hoping and praying that Cooper does not suffer any more mid-game injuries between now and May as his side look to seal promotion.
