OPINION
Marcelo Bielsa revealed a lot about his potential starting XI to face Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Talking in his pre-match press conference he ruled out Barry Douglas and Gaetano Berardi – the latter with what sounds like a fairly serious injury.
He also hinted that Ezgjan Alioski is likely to return to the wing despite an impressive outing at left-back, which would mean Pablo Hernandez shifting to the right and Jack Harrison dropping out.
That means Stuart Dallas could come back in but he also said that both Tom Pearce and Adam Forshaw are in his reckoning to start, and we think the young left-back will get the nod on Saturday.
TEAM NEWS: Berardi (hyper extended muscle) will be out & not for a short time. Douglas (hamstring) will miss out again but play for U23s (Mon). Jansson & Roofe both available. Alioski is likely to return to the wing. Pearce & Forshaw both ready to start if required. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) October 26, 2018
On Forshaw and Pearce: "We have a small group and all the players are close to being the starters including Pearce and Forshaw." #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) October 26, 2018
Samu Saiz had been criticised after a lacklustre performance in the win against Ipswich in midweek but Bielsa explained why he thought this had happened.
And from what he said – that the Blackburn game suited him more than the Ipswich tie – we expect him to retain his place and keep Adam Forshaw on the bench.
Bielsa on whether Saiz is feeling frustrated with his performances. He says the Blackburn game was more suited to him compared to the Ipswich match where “the closeness stopped the ability to be as creative.” #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) October 26, 2018
Given everything he said on Friday, here’s the starting XI we expect him to put out against Nottingham in the 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday:
