Liam Cooper: Because I'm defiant, I wanted to support Leeds

Liam Cooper: Because I\'m defiant, I wanted to support Leeds

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper answers your questions

As part of Deliveroo's new series #Ask, fans were asked to put forward their questions for Leeds United captain Liam Cooper. We caught up with the man himself, and he answered as many as possible over 25 minutes.

Read some of his answers below, or watch the full episode now:

What is it like to be Leeds United captain?

"I say it quite a lot, but it's a real honour, and it's a role I take a lot of pride in. I like to think that I set a good example around the place, and try to push people forward every single day. There's times in the season where the more senior lads, not just myself, need to step up and be the shoulder for everyone to lean on, and drive the team forward. It's an unbelievable job, I'm enjoying being captain, and long may it continue." 

What was it like to walk out at Elland Road for the first time?

"I had only previously played here in a few reserve fixtures, never a first team game. It was my debut, Billy Sharp scored in the 90th minute, we won 1-0, and as my time has gone on here, I'll always remember that day. Year on year, the fans keep coming back, make it an unbelievable place, and now we're filling it every week. It is cliche, but they do really drive us on and they are like our 12th man. The atmosphere is a different class."

Who would you say you're closest to in the squad?

"That'd probably have to be Stuey. He signed a year after me, we have the same agent, but I never knew him before then. He has a beautiful family, he's a great guy, and we just seemed to get on from day one. Our families and kids are really close, and it's just gone from strength to strength. As a group though, it's great to be part of, and there's a lot of banter flying about. It's a young group, and the younger lads drive us older boys on. We thrive off their energy, and try to bring it to our game."

A Mr Stuart Dallas asks "Who do you love more. Him or your partner?"

"It's a close one haha, but I'll have to go for Abbie and certainly the kids. He knows I've got a lot of love for him,  and I'd do anything for him, but I think the missus and the kids come first and foremost before anyone."

Out of all the squad, who would win in an LUFC Royal Rumble?

"I don't think it'll be any surprise to anyone, but Berra. I don't think anyone would go near him, and he'd probably be last man standing without having to do a thing. And, whoever is left standing, would have a hell of a lot to deal with. He's a great lad, he's quiet, but when he goes out on that pitch, he's an animal. He's a man of few words, but he leads by example in the way he performs and conducts himself around the place. For all the young lads coming through,  he's definitely the way you should be, get your head down and give everything."

What's been your lockdown routine? How are you keeping yourself fit?

"I've got a 9 week old son, so we're just tried him in his own room last night for the first time, and he didn't do too bad. He can be up anytime from 6 to half 7, my little girl as well, and I'm really enjoying being a dad. I miss a lot at home when the schedule is hectic, so it's nice to go out for a few strolls, play in the garden with the kids, and spend time with Abbie. It's been nice to come out of the football bubble, have a bit of reflection,  and see what you really do miss. I take my hats off to all the mums and carers out there, who do that day in and day out, as it's really hard work."

How have the team remained motivated over the last few weeks?

"The motivation has always been there. We're nine games away from doing something unbelievable, and that was the message to the group before we did go home. The message is 'Look, don't take your foot off the gas, we still have to train'. The communication with the fitness staff has been second to none, and we've really bought into it over the last 18 months, to get to where we want to be, so the lads have been smashing the running sessions. When we return we may only have a few weeks to train, we were on a five game winning run, we need to resume where we left off, and we'll be looking to do that."

All-time favourite movie?

"I've been asked a few times, and it never changes. Man on Fire with Denzel Washington. I love Denzel films. I don't usually like to go back to films, so that one sticks out, as it's one I don't mind watching again."

What's your takeaway of choice?

"I don't think you can beat a Chinese. Just the variety they have. My go to order would be salt and pepper chips, salt and pepper chicken, special fried rice, and hopefully they'd throw in a free portion of prawn crackers. We'll dust those off with a bit of rice as well."

Would you ever get into management when you retire?

"Right now it's not something I've talked about, but I think I'd be stupid to say that I wouldn't. It interests me, and I know I'll definitely miss the game. Learning what I've learnt over the last 18 months under Marcelo, he's taught me the way I need to train, the amount of control you need, the way you prepare, how much detail you need to go into, and how much you need to take advantage of training. So I'd want to give it a go."

What inspires you every time you walk onto the pitch?

"My family. Every time I think I'm having a bad day, or I feel like I'm down, I look to my family. I want to make them proud all the time. I thought I was doing it for myself before I had my own family, but now I know everything is for them, and I want to give them the best life possible. They're my inspiration."

How much of an impact do the fans have on the team during a game?

"It's massive. There's been difficult times for the club, for whatever reason things weren't working, and obviously as players, you get the brunt of that on the pitch, and it's hard to take at the time. But you look back now, you see it from a fans point of view, you see people paying their hard earned money to come and watch, and if it's not right on the pitch, you deserve to have your opinion. Since Andrea and Marcelo came in, it's been unbelievable, it's been packed out, 35-36,000. It does help, it's intimidating for other teams, and it really does give us that drive when you here that noise coming from the stand. As a fan, you need the team to lift you, and I feel this season we've hopefully done that more times than not, and long may it continue."

Who did you support growing up?

"It's funny really. I don't know why but my dad was always a West Ham fan, my family were Hull City fans, but because I'm defiant, I wanted to go against everyone and support Leeds. So it went from there really. My dad tried to drag me to West Ham games, but I never really enjoyed it, especially compared to watching Leeds in the Champions League days. I always had the dream of playing for Leeds, and I've exceeded that in captaining the club. My name is with a lot of greats  and hopefully in a few years I can be remembered for a lot more. I take inspiration from that and strive to be as good as those guys."

Who was your football idol growing up?

"The Chief. He was aggressive, unbelievable player, and a good guy as well. I think you can always tell the good guys at Leeds United, as the fans really appreciate them long past their playing days. I've actually never got to meet him face-to-face yet, and it'd be nice to do so. He's a legend of the club, and he inspired me when I was younger."

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