Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips revealed teammate Liam Cooper described him as ‘a joke’ in a text message exchange between the two Whites players ahead of Friday night’s clash between England and Scotland at Wembley. Phillips was outstanding in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia in their opening group-stage game, laying on the only goal of the game and being man of the match in many people’s eyes.
Kalvin Phillips said: “Liam text me after the game actually. He said: ‘Kalvin, you’re a joke, I hope you don’t play that well Friday!'”
Cooper has made it clear all friendships will be put to one side when he goes head to head with his United teammate and the Leeds skipper has already made it clear that he will relish the opportunity to face Phillips.
Liam Cooper said: “Kalvin knows what I think of him. He’s a great lad and I love him to pieces. I’ve seen his career go from being a young kid to an established player in the England team. It’s pure business now. All that goes out the window once you’re on the pitch. Kalvin is the same – he wears his heart on his sleeve, same as I do.”
Cooper’s participation from the outset is not guaranteed at Wembley, with Kieran Tierney having passed a fitness test ahead of the game and is being tipped to line up in the left-sided central defensive role Cooper filled during the Scots’ 2-0 opening defeat to the Czech Republic.
