Bielsa delighted with defensive duo’s displays

DIEGO LLORENTE and Robin Koch’s Premier League displays have been among the highlights of Leeds’ season for head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Both central defenders have overcome injury since arriving in the summer to leave Bielsa convinced they have big roles to play in the club’s bid to establish themselves in the top flight.

Spain international Llorente was dogged by successive muscle strains after joining from Real Sociedad in September for a reported £18 million, but has emerged as a polished and reliable performer.

“He [Llorente] has played well, he hasn’t had any bad games,” said Bielsa, whose side face Liverpool at Elland Road today.

“He’s had a performance level that has improved every single time we have played. He started playing well and from there onwards he’s been playing better.

“Llorente, as well as Koch, in the first part of the season, they have been high points of our season.”

Germany’s Koch, signed for around £13m from Freiburg, recently returned to action after knee surgery and could make his first start since December against Liverpool in the absence of suspended skipper Liam Cooper.