Fabio shares clear 2014-15 ambitions
To get into the Liverpool team and stay there – that's the aim of Fabio Borini for the 2014-15 season.
More than two years have now passed since the Italian striker sealed a switch to the Reds from Serie A side AS Roma to reunite with Brendan Rodgers as the manager's first signing for the club.
A deeply frustrating campaign followed; two major injuries hampered the No.29's transition to the demands of life at Anfield and denied him any opportunity to develop rhythm and cement a regular place.
Instead, consistent first-team football was provided by a loan spell at Sunderland, where Borini thrived, registering 10 goals in helping the Black Cats avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League and reach the Capital One Cup final.
Now, having returned to Liverpool in the summer and made clear his intention to fight for game time as part of a four-man forward collection, his objectives are straightforward.
"Step by step, to get into the team as soon as possible and as much as possible," Borini responded when quizzed on the subject by Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood.
"After that, I want to stay in the team, score goals and break my scoring record in the Premier League, and perform. I haven't changed my personality, but I have improved my game.
"I can offer hard work in performances every week and goals, as I did in the past. For Sunderland, I did very well and scored important goals.
"I can do the same here; with better players around me, it could probably be easier and with better results. I want to get back in the national team as well because that's a big aim.
"With a new manager, a new system and a new structure to the Italian national team, that can be a really good target for me, to get into the team and stay there as long as possible."