Liverpool transfers: Fabio Borini in my plans, insists Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers signed Fabio Borini from Roma last summerPhoto: Foota

Brendan Rodgers signed Fabio Borini from Roma last summer

Brendan Rodgers insists Fabio Borini still has a Liverpoolfuture despite the striker’s impressive performances forSunderland in recent weeks.

The 40-year-old Reds boss, who signed Borini in a £10.5m deal from Roma last summer, allowed the Italy international to move on a season-long loan to the Black Cats on transfer deadline day in September.

Despite Paolo Di Canio’s dismissal at Sunderland this month, Borini appears to be finding his feet at the club after netting the winner in a 2-1 victory over derby rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.

The 22-year-old endured an injured-plagued start to his Reds career, and Rodgers, who worked with the 22-year-old forward at Swansea City, insists Borini is a talented player and very much part of his long-term plans.

“Fabio is a young player who has been unfortunate really,” Rodgers told his pre-match news conference.

“He’s come in and got injured very early on and was out for a period of time. It was difficult.

“That first year at a new club is difficult.”

He continued: “I just felt he needed games. He’s got talent; you can see that in the goal [in the derby] with his touch and strike – it was brilliant.

“I know him very well, he needs to get experience, especially with our limited games in the league.

“I’ve got young players who aren’t playing so much and I need to plan forward.

“That means going out and getting games. He definitely has a future here and one that will develop well over the next couple of years.”