Nuno must brutally bench West Ham star who ‘looks like Kudus’

It would be no exaggeration to say that it has been an eventful season for West Ham United.

The Hammers were winless in the first few months and looked almost certain to be relegated from the Premier League in May.

However, over the past month or so, Nuno Espirito Santo has steadied the ship and currently takes the club out of the drop zone.

He will aim to continue his side’s unbeaten run against Liverpool this afternoon, but to ensure West Ham take at least one point, if not all three, they will need to make at least one change and drop the man who was once compared to Mohamed Qudus.

West Ham’s record against Liverpool

This afternoon’s match between West Ham and Liverpool will be the 153rd competitive meeting between the two teams.

The first time these historic clubs met was in an FA Cup match in January 1901, with the Hammers unfortunately losing 1-0 thanks to Sam Raybould’s goal, although the organizers insisted the goal should have been ruled offside.

Unfortunately, the match ended with the East Londoners winning just 29, drawing 38 and losing 86, serving as a warning of what the game would be like for the next 124 years.

Somehow, things have gotten even worse for the Hammers in recent years. In their last 10 meetings, they have won just one game, drawn another, and lost the remaining eight.

Given this history, it would be logical to think that Nuno’s side don’t have a chance this afternoon, but given the way football has played out over the past month or so, that might not be the case.

Arn Slott’s team, for example, has lost the last three games by a whopping 10-1 scoreline, and the Irons are currently in a situation that is as bad, if not worse, than they were at the start of the season.

In stark contrast, West Ham have won two and drawn one of their last three games, so they should go into this game confident of continuing their good form and inflicting yet another misery on the Merseysiders.

That being said, Nuno will need to make at least one change to the team and drop someone compared to Kudus to ensure the team wins, or at least picks up a point.

West Ham’s Nuno absent from match against Liverpool

There may be an argument to be made for letting multiple players go from the team that drew with Bournemouth last week, but the player most in need of letting go is Luis Guilherme.

The Brazilian was given the go-ahead to replace the injured Crisencio Somerville, but instead of the dynamism, directness and trickery the Dutchman brought to the team, he looked weak, out of place and simply unprepared.

But that doesn’t mean the teenager shouldn’t be given another chance to make his mark on the team.

After all, he is still a highly regarded prospect, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson claiming he “still has the world at his feet” and someone “similar to Kudus” in terms of offensive characteristics.

But after a 45-minute performance with 0.01 expected assists, no shots, just 21 touches, 66% missed dribbles, 9 lost balls, 10 completed passes, and 7 losses out of 8 duels, he should be dropped.

What’s more, a player who can offer even more could be selected again in Lucas Paqueta.

Yes, the Brazilian is free to play again after his one-match suspension, and given his incredible ability and recent form, there’s no reason he can’t return to the team soon, either wide or in the middle.

So far this season, the former Lyon star has scored four goals in 12 appearances, ranking in the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the league for take-on success rate and in the top 13% for progressive pass success rate, both with a score of 90, according to FBref.

In other words, in addition to scoring, he also contributes to creating chances through both his incredible control and great passing range.

Ultimately, Nuno should drop Guilherme and replace Paqueta if he wants to ensure West Ham take three points against Liverpool this afternoon.