Leeds captain Liam Cooper issues grovelling apology after being sent off in disastrous 3-1 loss at Cardiff

LEEDS UNITED skipper Liam Cooper has issued a grovelling apology following his red card in the defeat to Cardiff.

Cooper saw red in first-half injury time as the home side were 2-0 down to the Bluebirds who went on to win 3-1 to replace Leeds at the top of the Championship.

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Liam Cooper is ent off against Cardiff[/caption]

The United skipper was already on a booking when he dived into a challenge with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and gave referee Kevin Friend no choice but to brandish a second yellow card.

Cooper took to social media to apologise for his early shower, which was the fourth sending off of his career.

He said on Twitter: “Embarrassed and disappointed with myself!”

“I’ve let my team-mates down and the fans tonight, not good enough and not acceptable.

“Stick with us, we have an unbelievable support..Massive game next week..#MOT.”

United boss Marcus Christiansen refused to publicly stick the boot into his captain, despite his moment of madness.

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Liam Cooper booked and sent off for his high challenge on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing[/caption]

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Liam Cooper’s night is over after second booking at Cardiff City[/caption]

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Leeds United boss Marcus Christiansen refused to blame Liam Cooper for defeat[/caption]

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Neil Warnock celebrates win over his former club Leeds United[/caption]

Christiansen said: “His experience in that situation should have stopped him, but I don’t want to blame anyone individually.

“When we win, we all win and when we lose, we all lose.”

Cardiff took full control of the game with first-half strikes from Kenneth Zohore and Junior Hoilett.

Zohore made the game safe for Neil Warnock’s side before Kemar Roofe bagged a consolation as Leeds dropped to second in the Championship.