Rodgers: Fans will love him

The Italy international put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Reds today - and the boss is thrilled to have got his man.

Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com: "I was very keen to bring him here. Fabio fits the model of what we're trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future.

"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."

Borini's transfer to Anfield means he links up with Rodgers for a third time.

The pair first worked together in Chelsea youth set-up, before the manager took him on loan to Swansea City in 2011.

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Rodgers added: "Yes, I've known him since he had just turned 16 years of age. We (Chelsea) took him in from Bologna when he was 16 and he progressed incredibly well as a young player to go on to play for the first team at Chelsea.

"It didn't work out in terms of he couldn't agree a contract, but before he left I took him on loan to Swansea and he made a big, big impression there and really helped us in our promotion charge that season.

"He left and went away (to Roma) and in the last season he's done incredibly well.

"I think the supporters will love him. As I said, he's a goalscorer, but he's a multifunctional player who can play in a number of positions - and someone I believe has got great growth.

"He's one of the few young players in the full Italian squad. I'd anticipate that over the next two or three years he'll really progress and I'm sure do very well for Liverpool."

Borini made four first-team appearances for Chelsea, before firing six goals in 12 appearances at Swansea.

Rodgers believes the previous experience of English football will stand the 21-year-old in good stead for the challenges that await him at Anfield.

"I think the adaptation will be much easier," he said. "I believe he'll feel as though he's coming home because his formative years as a young player were here in Britain and the game in this country suits him.

"He's technically strong, he's a good finisher with both feet, he can play central or on the sides in a 4-3-3 up front, he's quick, and he's tactically very good.

"He is arguably the best physical player I've worked with in terms of his pace, power and fitness. Mentally, he's very strong. We've got a player who is on the up and someone who I think Liverpool will benefit from."

Despite his tender age, Borini already has international honours with Italy and was part of their squad for the European Championships.

But while Rodgers feels the forward has the talent to make an instant impact, he believes the Reds will also reap the long-term benefits of their new No.29.

"I don't want to put any unnecessary pressure on him," he said." I believe he's one who can impact now - and he still has a lot of learning, growth and a lot to achieve in the game.

"This is a great environment for him to come into. It's a coaching environment, and it's a club which is historic.

"To leave a club like Roma having done very, very well for them and having just completed a transfer shows the pull we have as a football club.

"Roma is one of the world's big clubs - certainly in Italy it is - so for him to leave there having done very well, and for Roma to fight to get him in, just shows the incredible pull Liverpool Football Club has."

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