Exciting 17 y/o, next Alan Smith: Two U23 LUFC gems who could now be on Bielsa's radar - opinion

Leeds United duo Max Dean and Jeremiah Mullen impressed during their convincing victory in the Premier League 2 division on Monday night. 

The Whites’ U23s side cruised to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool, which saw both players start and play almost every minute, with Dean taken off in the latter stages.

Dean was able to convert from the penalty spot in the final minutes of the game to seal the victory and the points for Mark Jackson’s side.

Leeds went into the game with Liverpool six points ahead of them in the standings, but with Mullen playing a big role at the back, Jackson’s side were able to hold the Reds to a blank at Elland Road.

As the Whites climbed up the table from second-bottom to 11th, could the impressive performances of Dean and Mullen have an effect on Marcelo Bielsa and his first team?

Liam Cooper has made 15 appearances in the Premier League this season for the Whites, but he has been missing from the squad since December.

The 30-year-old defender has been out through injury and is not expected to return until March as a result of the hamstring issue he has sustained.

In Cooper’s absence, Bielsa’s side have been unable to keep a clean sheet, with 18 goals conceded in their last six league games without the Scottish centre-back.

Mullen was hailed for his defensive solidity against Liverpool on Monday as well as his ability to pick out a pass. But is it too early for Bielsa to give him a shot in the Premier League?

Of course, the likes of Charlie Cresswell, Robin Koch, Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente are all fighting for a place at the heart of the defence currently, so it would take a lot for him to force his way in out of nowhere.

However, all four of the defenders mentioned above have spent