Fabio Borini: I was right to stay at Liverpool

November 13, 2014
Press Association

Fabio Borini believes he has been vindicated by staying at Anfield and putting in the effort to remain at the club.

The Italy forward was the subject of bids by QPR and Sunderland – where he spent last season on loan – in August but rejected them in order to fight for his place in the squad despite manager Brendan Rodgers making it clear pitch time would be limited.

Borini believes his decision has been vindicated after starting at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid last week, one of two 90-minute performances in the last four games with a couple of substitute appearances in between.

“I think that when I was called upon to play, I did well against Real Madrid or against Chelsea, when we were down and we needed to chase the game,” he told liverpoolfc.com. “It’s not an easy way to get in, but it’s good to be involved and I hope I get more [chances].

“In training I work hard every day so I’ve got the game rhythm every day and it’s easy for me to get into the game, like I showed against Swansea (in the Capital One Cup late last month).

“I had been out for six weeks and then I came in and played 90 minutes and was fine.”

Borini may find his chances will be limited again with the impending return of Daniel Sturridge, who has not played for the club since August 31 because of thigh and calf injuries, but is in line for a comeback at Crystal Palace a week on Sunday.

Without his threat up front Liverpool have struggled with £16million summer signing Mario Balotelli still to find the net in the Premier League.

Rodgers has spoken of the importance of not over-relying on the England striker but former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher cannot see any other option.

“He has been out for while so you don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but it looks like it is down to him because there is not much else there at the moment,” he told talkSPORT.

“Hopefully when this international break is out the way we will start seeing the real Liverpool.

“We have to start picking it up because, before you know it, Southampton (11 points ahead in second place) might even be too far ahead, never mind the other top teams.”