West Ham’s mini-revival came to an abrupt halt at Anfield as Liverpool ran out 2–0 winners, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ending the Hammers’ three-game unbeaten run.
The defeat leaves Nuno Espírito Santo’s side sitting 17th in the Premier League, with relegation still a genuine concern as the pressure builds.
But the biggest flashpoint of the afternoon wasn’t the scoreline — it was Lucas Paquetá’s astonishing red card.
The Brazilian was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards inside a minute for dissent, repeatedly refusing to let an argument with the referee drop. With West Ham facing a crucial run of fixtures, his suspension is a major blow.
And now, the fallout from that moment may stretch far beyond a single matchday.
West Ham Could Sell Paquetá
Earlier in the season, reports suggested West Ham had no intention of letting Paquetá leave, despite concerns he might try to force an exit after his move to Aston Villa collapsed in the summer.
The midfielder had publicly committed to staying for at least another year, and the club planned to stand firm.
However, Football Insider now claim the stance inside the London Stadium may be shifting. The report states that West Ham are prepared to listen to offers in January, even though Paquetá remains one of their most gifted and influential players.
Former scout Mick Brown believes the door could now be open for a transfer.
“It was a stupid red card to get, and one he could have avoided,” he told Football Insider.
“The manager will have been rightly fuming with him, because losing him in that game was a blow and now he’s going to be missed for their next game too.
“Of course that then raises questions about his future there, because there’s been a lot of talk about whether he might leave even before this.
“He’s certainly their most talented player, and probably their most creative player too, so in the position they’re in they can’t really afford to lose somebody like that.
“But if he’s going to be a disruptive influence in terms of how he handles himself on the pitch, it may be something they decide is worth taking the hit for.
“If they get an offer for him in January from one of these clubs who have been interested in him, then it wouldn’t surprise me if they were to let him go.”
Paquetá’s talent is unquestioned, but with West Ham in a precarious league position, they may now be forced to weigh up whether his brilliance outweighs the risk of further discipline issues.
The January window could provide clarity — or spark yet another transfer saga.
