Borini: My Liverpool career starts now
Fabio Borini admits to feeling a huge sense of frustration at his recent spell on the sidelines, but insists he's returned hungrier than ever to show what he's capable of and declared: 'My Liverpool career starts now.'
The summer signing from Roma was ruled out for three months in October after sustaining a fractured bone in his foot.
However, having resumed full training at Melwood earlier this month, Borini returned to action as a second-half substitute against Manchester United on Sunday - and now he's determined to make up for lost time and demonstrate exactly why Brendan Rodgers was so eager to add him to the ranks.
The 21-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's great to be back at Liverpool. It was good to come back, especially in a big game and play 30 minutes as we tried our best to get a draw.
"When I was stood on the touchline, I felt good. All the memories of the last three months and the things I've been through went from my mind. I put all my worries and the bad things about the injury behind me, and looked forward to all the positive things on the pitch.
"It was extremely frustrating because in the last three years I have got injured for three months every year in October. That was the most frustrating thing because at the same time for the last three years, I've got an injury.
"I haven't played a full season yet because of those injuries, but I hope they'll stop [now]. It's just been bad luck and nothing about me. They've been different injuries each time and not the same."
He added: "My Liverpool career is actually starting now, I think. I'd only played five league games and six or seven games in the Europa League [before the injury], which is not a lot.
"It really starts now with great intensity week in, week out to get playing again."
Borini returned to his native Italy for a spell while he underwent his rehabilitation - but he was in constant contact with a number of his teammates and the boss.
Indeed, it was messages of support from Melwood - as well as a determination to prove himself at Anfield - that helped keep the forward's spirits up.
In particular, Borini drew on the experiences of Lucas Leiva, who himself endured two lengthy spells on the treatment table in 2012.
He said: "[The thought of] showing people what I am able to do kept my spirits up. It gave me strength to not give up, get back and show people I can do much more than I had before.
"I spoke a few times with Brendan, Lucas and Stevie, of course, and I went to Udine to watch the Europa League game. I keep in good contact and when I got back, it was like I'd never been away.
"Lucas has always been positive to me and saying good things. He told me not to give up because it is an injury and it happens - you can't really do anything about it. You just have to keep going.
"He had a long injury as well, so he knows what it's like more than me and it's really helpful to have a teammate like that."
Borini also outlined his desire to repay the faith shown in him by Rodgers - not just at Liverpool, but also at previous clubs Chelsea and Swansea City.
"It's very important [to have the manager's faith], especially after my injury," he continued. "He's given me trust and strength that I can count on every day.
"I can show him what I really can do, which he knows but I want to do better and better every day and improve. I know I can."
Prior to his Old Trafford cameo, Borini's last involvement with Liverpool came in October when he was named on the substitutes' bench for the visit of Stoke City to Anfield.
In total, the No.29 missed 20 league and cup games for the Reds, but admits he was impressed by the way the team performed in his absence.
Borini said: "We did well. We've been inconsistent, but that's football. The way we're playing is a brand new idea of football, so it takes time to get into the mind and become the natural way of playing.
"Christmas was a busy period but we got very good results. That was very important. We've always shown character in every game we've played.
"There were signs [at Old Trafford] that we really wanted to get a draw - or even win the game - so that showed me character and spirit, which is very important when you come back from an injury like mine.
"The style is becoming more natural. Even in training sessions, you can see the difference, which is a good sign."
So, now fully fit and ready to reignite his Liverpool career, what targets is Borini setting himself for the remainder of his debut season at Anfield?
"I always set targets for the season, but I will never say them in public," he said with a smile.
"I just keep them for myself. I'll know if I've failed [to meet them] or not, but I don't want to have other people saying if I have."