Lucas Paquetá believes West Ham United should be encouraged by their performances against the Premier League’s top two in the past week.
Although their meetings with Manchester City and Liverpool both ended in 3-1 defeats, Paquetá has seen plenty to leave him feeling the Hammers are better equipped this season to challenge the division’s elite.
The east Londoners led against the Citizens last weekend and had Liverpool level at the break this, after Jarrod Bowen’s superb header cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s early penalty.
Ultimately both contests yielded no points, but the Brazil international says they will not have knocked the team’s confidence as they head towards a busy autumn, both at home and in Europe.
“It was a tough game,” Paquetá admitted. “We knew how strong Liverpool would be. [The loss] is annoying though because we did have chances to win the game, just like against City.
“We need to keep our confidence up, though. We’re playing better, our game’s evolving. We’re disappointed with a loss against Liverpool so that’s a sign of how we’ve come on.
“We were good in both games and we had chances to win. We didn’t win - that’s part of football but we’re showing improvements that we’re competing against these teams and having chances to beat them.
“Now it’s back to training hard day-by-day so we can come out on top in our next challenge.
Paquetá played a key role in Bowen’s fourth goal of the season, starting the move by picking out the No20’s initial probing run with a delightful lofted pass.
Having a forward making those movements is perfect for Paquetá, who is enjoying the flourishing link-up with his teammate.
“Jarrod a great player and I think we’re understanding each other more out on the pitch - we’ve been playing together for a year now,” the No10 continued.
“I think he realised in the moment what I like to do and I realised how he likes to make his runs. So I’m happy that’s working out for us, I’m happy for him and his goal. Now we need to rest up for the next game.”
Paquetá is also delighted to have the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez alongside him, and he hailed the impact of all the new boys in the team’s positive startto the new campaign.
“They’re brilliant players, no doubt,” he added. “It’s always good to play with players who understand you, who get the ball on the ground and play football.
“I think we’re all feeling good despite the disappointment of the loss today, but as I mentioned earlier that’s a sign of how much we’re improving and we need to keep that faith.
“I think we’ve started the season well. We’ve had four really difficult opponents in Brighton, Chelsea, City and Liverpool and we’re sitting on ten points.
“So I think it’s a good start and we will keep on working hard and keep the confidence high in the camp so we can keep on winning more points.”
