Comings and goings at Liverpool
Liverpool welcomed Fabio Borini to Anfield on Friday, bringing the Roma striker on board for a reported transfer fee of around £7.9 million.
The 21-year-old Borini made the Italian squad at Euro 2012 but did not see any action. He will reunite with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who managed Borini last season at Swansea and in Chelsea’s youth squad.
“I felt really good because I wanted to come back to England one day. I knew sooner or later I would be back,” Borini told The Guardian. “Being back with Liverpool is even better because I can show the people what I can do – we’ve got the Europa League and lots of things to play for. It’s a top club that has won a lot of trophies in the past – and will do so in the future we hope as well.”
Borini scored six goals in nine games for Swansea last season before being loaned out to Roma, where he found the back of the net nine times in 24 matches.
“Fabio fits the model of what we’re trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future,” Rodgers told The Daily Mail. “He’s a big talent, 21 years of age, he scores goals, and his passion, focus and concentration is a very important part of his game – and a big part of what you want from a player.
“I think the supporters will love him. He’s a multi-functional player who can play in a number of positions and someone I believe has got great growth.”
Borini’s arrival should put pressure on Andy Carroll, who hasn’t won many fans since arriving in a £35 million transfer from Newcastle United in January of 2011. He has scored 11 goals in 59 appearances.
Carroll reportedly wants to remain at Anfield and will reject a move to West Ham, which is reportedly interested in him. There are also reports that Liverpool may use Carroll in a deal for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey.
As the Reds welcomed Borini they said goodbye to Maxi Rodríguez, who is joining his former club, Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina. The 31-year-old midfielder joined Liverpool in January 2010 from Atlético Madrid.
Rodríguez scored 17 goals in 73 appearances, including hat-tricks against Birmingham and Fulham in 2011.
(Photo by Getty Images)
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