Marmite – Otherwise Known as Fabio Borini

During his tenure as Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers has been criticized for the signings that have been brought into Anfield. Fabio Borini probably typifies everything about a Rodgers signing – someone who works hard but doesn’t quite have the ability or quality that was expected on a consistent basis (Mario Balotelli is an exception to this).

Moreover, Borini was Rodgers’ very first signing, with the Italian arriving from Roma in the summer of 2012 for nearly £11 million. Prior to the Reds, Borini had been part of the Chelsea youth set-up, where he first encountered Rodgers before linking up with the Northern Irishman again on loan at Swansea City. Finally, he joined Roma via Parma after leaving Chelsea on a free transfer.

After injury problems in 2012/13, Borini went out on loan to Sunderland for the entire 2013/14 season and was named as their Young Player of the Year after scoring 10 goals in 40 appearances. Despite the success however, Borini turned down a £14 million return to the north-east in an effort to secure first team football at Liverpool on its return to the Champions League.

Yet it has not happened for the 23 year old this season, finding himself fourth choice in the striking pecking order behind Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.

Rodgers gave Borini another chance to find regular action by accepting a £12 million bid from Queens Park Rangers on Transfer Deadline Day this August, yet Borini rejected this move too.

Some may say he’s after the money by remaining on the sidelines at Liverpool, but the Italian is not one of the highest earners at the club and both Sunderland and Q.P.R wouldn’t have struggled in satisfying his pay packet. It’s more likely that Borini wants a move to a club that is on his level, with the loan to Sunderland an attempt merely to pick up form and confidence and not to undergo regular relegation battles.

Inter Milan have been heavily linked and it’s more than possible that in a month’s time, Borini may be back in his home country. Yet he may be of some use to Liverpool.

As the title suggests, Fabio Borini is Marmite-like when fans discuss his worth to the club. Some believe he is a waste of wages and space and should be moved on immediately as he has had his chance with the Reds and not made the most of it. Conversely, there are others who believe that he’s worth keeping; that he offers a different style of play upfront compared to Lambert and Balotelli and that should Balotelli leave in January for a new striker, with Sturridge injury-prone and Lambert ageing, Borini should be retained for at least until the end of the season.

Certainly, Borini fits into the style of play that Rodgers advocates of high tempo, quick passing, instinctiveness, relentless pressing and energy. The downside of Borini is that he is by far a regular marksmen and has barely come close to threatening the goal this season. Personally I will never forget that miss against Hearts in the Europa League – it was easier to score.

Any bid of £8 million or more should be seriously considered, with £14 million and above snapped up. Anything less however would constitute a poor deal by Rodgers and Liverpool – not just because of the monetary loss when compared to the fee paid for Borini, but his value to the squad now.

He is not at the level Liverpool demand from their first choice striker, but he does have more quality than perhaps people give him credit for. After all, given the crucial goals he scored for Sunderland last season and his place in the team of the tournament for the 2013 Under 21 European Championships, Borini has proved that he can perform under immense pressure. He scored the winning goal in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United and over Holland in the semi-finals of the international tournament. If he gets his move to Inter Milan, he may thrive back in Serie A.

One thing’s for certain though – Borini’s departure from Liverpool would split opinion amongst supporters. It’s what he’s done best in his time at Anfield.

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