West Ham United playing better claims Lucas Paqueta

Mohamed Salah’s penalty put the hosts in front at Anfield, before Jarrod Bowen levelled with a diving header.

And although second-half goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota sent the Hammers to a 3-1 loss on Merseyside, their Brazilian playmaker remained upbeat.

“It was a tough game. We knew how strong Liverpool would be,” he told whufc.com. 

“It is annoying though because we did have chances to win the game, just like against [Manchester] City.

“We need to keep our confidence up. 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.

“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.

“We will keep on working hard and keep the confidence high in the camp so we can keep on winning more points.”

Paqueta had a hand in Bowen’s fourth goal of the campaign and praised the England international, adding: “Jarrod is 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.

“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.”

Newcomers James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez have also made big impacts since their summer arrivals and Paqueta believes there is a good feeling in the camp as they prepare for EFL Cup action at Lincoln City in midweek ahead of a visit from Premier League new boys Sheffield United on Saturday.

“They’re brilliant players, no doubt,” he said of Ward-Prowse and Alvarez. 

“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, but as I mentioned earlier that’s a sign of how much we’re improving and we need to keep that faith.

“Now it’s back to training hard day-by-day so we can come out on top in our next challenge.”