Lucas Paqueta Pleads for Support After Red Card Against Liverpool
Lucas Paqueta issued a plea after being criticised for his 'ridiculous behaviour' against Liverpool.
West Ham United suffered a bruising 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the 60th minute to bring up his first league for the club following his switch from Newcastle United.
Cody Gakpo added a second in stoppage time to end Liverpool's three-game losing skid.
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Gakpo's goal came minutes after West Ham were reduced to 10 men following Paqueta's dismissal.
Paqueta picked up two yellow cards in quick succession late on during West Ham vs. Liverpool.
He was booked for a foul before receiving a second yellow card after he complained to match referee Darren England.
On commentary, Rob Green called out Paqueta's 'ridiculous behaviour'.
After the game, the Brazilian midfielder took to social media to post a furious statement.
On X, he wrote: "It's ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation. Perhaps this ridiculous behavior is just a reflection of everything I've had to endure and, it seems, have to continue enduring! I'm sorry if I'm not perfect."
Paqueta posted another message in response to his red card but in Portuguese.
It translates to: "I understand that now I have to look like the villain; it’s difficult to live with everything that has been caused in my life and in my mental health!
"I will continue trying to prevent them from affecting me even more.
"This does not justify my expulsion, and for that I apologise to the fans and my teammates!”
West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo was asked about Paqueta's sending off against Liverpool following his side's defeat.
He insists he will speak to the player before making a making a comment.
"I'm not going to comment too much. First of all I'm going to speak to Lucas and try to understand his frustrations and his behaviour," he said.
"We need all the player and we are going to need them until the end of the season. Every player out, we're going to miss them."
Paqueta is referring to his spot-fixing controversy, where he was subjected to an FA investigation.
But he escaped a lifetime ban for spot-fixing charges.
An independent regulatory commission found the allegations to not be proven.
However, he was found guilty of two breaches of FA rules.
Topics: Football, Premier League, West Ham
Nasir Jabbar