Lucas Paqueta is expected to return to the West Ham starting eleven when they take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Brazil international was suspended as West Ham drew 2-2 against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
However, with that suspension now served, Nuno Espirito Santo is likely to put him back in the eleven.
Nuno Espirito Santo applauds West Ham's travelling fans
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Lucas Paqueta could play deeper role against Liverpool
Nuno deployed a back three against Bournemouth, but there is a good chance he plays a back four against Liverpool.
He could play a 4-3-3 as it would give him another body in the middle of the park.
There is a good chance that instead of playing Paqueta in the final third, on the left wing, the Portuguese asks the 28-year-old to play in a deeper position.
Per WhoScored, he has played seven games this season as a number 10, but there is a chance that he may not play there against Liverpool.
The Reds will look to win the midfield battle, especially after the week they’ve had, and having the Brazil international’s footballing brain may help nullify any threat.
Lucas Paqueta smiles before Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Copa/Getty Images
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Can West Ham lead to Arne Slot’s sack?
Losing 4-1 at home to PSV in the Champions League is unacceptable for a side that won the Premier League a few months ago.
Slot knows that he has credit in the bank because of winning the title, but that appears to have run out and he will certainly will be feeling pressure.
They also lost 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest and followed that up with an even more disappointing performance in the Champions League.
So, if Nuno can somehow get a result against Liverpool, potentially even a win, FSG, their owners, may decide to pull the plug on Slot’s time at the club.
Despite the Anfield outfit’s recent struggles, they are not going to be an easy side to play against, so West Ham United will need to be at their best at the London Stadium.
Fans will be hoping that there are no more injury issues and Nuno has most, if not all the players he’s counting on for the game.
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