Kop flop Borini heading for exit – if Suarez stays
LIVERPOOL are ready to let Fabio Borini join Lazio – but only if Luis Suarez stays at Anfield.
Italy striker Borini has struggled to make an impact since his £10.5million switch from Roma last summer, scoring just once in the Premier League in 13 games.
And Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is set to cut his losses on the 22-year-old and let him to return to the Italian capital, with Lazio prepared to pay £6m.
Borini’s agent, Marco De Marchi, said: “At the moment I can assure you that Borini is concentrating on doing well for Liverpool to beat the competition for places in attack.
“Although I can confirm that Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has always been a fan of Fabio, I have not had any contact with Lazio.”
Cooled
Liverpool will only do business with Lazio if they get a guarantee from Suarez that he plans to stay at Anfield.
The Uruguay striker has now joined the Australian leg of Liverpool’s pre-season tour, having spoken previously about his desire to leave the club.
Arsenal are lining up a £40m bid to test Kop resolve to keep Suarez, although Real Madrid’s interest has cooled.
Rodgers says teenage star Raheem Sterling will roar back to top form after fading away in the second half of last season.
“There was a natural drop-off purely because of the youthfulness of him and also because of the pressure of playing for Liverpool and at the very top end of the game,” said Rodgers.
“He’s come back refreshed, he looks so fit, he looks sharp – and I think he’ll play a big part for us again this season.”