Borini handed Liverpool chance

05 Sep 2014

Fabio Borini has been handed another chance at Liverpool after Brendan Rodgers named the Italian striker in his Premier League squad for this season. The 23-year old has struggled for playing time since arriving at the club from Roma in 2012, appearing just 13 times in the Premier League for the Merseysiders and falling down the pecking order under Rodgers despite the former Swansea manager shelling out almost £11 million to bring Borini back to England.
After spending the majority of last season on loan at Sunderland, Borini had come close to leaving Anfield on a permanent deal during the final hours of the summer transfer market. Newly-promoted QPR had had a bid of £10 million accepted only for talks to break down in regards Borini’s wage demands. The Italian had turned down a return to Sunderland earlier in the window and after the move to Loftus Road broke down, the striker made it clear he was happy to stay at Anfield and fight for his place in the team.

Taking to Twitter, Borini said, "Finally the madness is finished! I protected the MAN and the player that I am today, taking all the responsibility of the situation and for people who didn't want it. I'm VERY happy with myself to have taken such an important decision!"

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge's impressive form last season made it hard for Borini to earn his chance in the team, and the signings of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert this summer had seen the former Chelsea youngster drop further down the pecking order. While Rodgers has made it clear Borini could struggle for regular first-team action this year, the forward now looks set to be given a chance to salvage his Liverpool career after being named in Liverpool’s 25-man squad.

Following last season’s achievements, Liverpool have been backed by a number of Betfair.com fans to be in the title mix again this year. After an impressive 2-1 opening weekend victory over Southampton, Liverpool bounced back from a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Manchester City with a comprehensive 3-0 away win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

While the likes of City and Chelsea currently find themselves topping the Betfair title odds, Liverpool fans will have been encouraged with how life without Luis Suarez has started and rightly confident Rodgers can lead the club into the title mix come the final weeks of the season.