Borini: Psychologist helped me
Fabio Borini has revealed how teaming up with a sports psychologist helped him become a Barclays Premier League star.
The Italian turned to personal mental coach Roberto Civitarese while he was struggling to make a breakthrough at his first professional club, Chelsea.
The relationship was revived this season when Borini endured a three-month sabbatical imposed by a broken foot.
He told the Press Association: "I think it is a thing that, in modern football, can be really helpful.
"I really appreciate talking to psychologists and I will talk to them again.
"I opted for it to make something change in what I was doing: I was at Chelsea at the time and I worked with him for almost one year to get the mentality right.
"After getting all the mental things right I got my debut in the Premier League.
"On the pitch I've had really good results from what I did and it is a special thanks to him because he really helped me in a difficult moment.
"It has really helped me because I could see the results. You can control yourself better under pressure when you have big games coming up or a bad situation like an injury and you deal with problems better.
"I stopped (consulting Civitarese) for one year because I chose to see if I could do it on my own but after my (latest) injury I decided I needed to work with him again."
Borini is hoping to make his first start since October 4 in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at League One Oldham.
He admits his spell on the sidelines was tough.
"It has been difficult because I got an injury when I wanted to be fit," the 21-year-old added.
"It was a complicated injury on my foot, it was very delicate and it wasn't easy to get back as soon as possible.
"I chose to go back to Italy to do some of my rehab there because mentally it was easier as I was close to home and I could see my family more.
"Also not seeing my teammates playing outside every day made me a little bit more confident when I got back because it is very difficult watching my team playing every week and not being involved.
"Now I am back and feel good and fit, thanks to the staff here at Liverpool."
Borini's return to fitness has coincided with the arrival at Melwood of former Chelsea teammate Daniel Sturridge.
The forwards enjoyed a friendly rivalry during their time at Stamford Bridge and Borini is happy to see it resumed - even if it means he moves down the pecking order.
"Competition in positions is good because everyone is fighting for their place," he said
"Daniel and I were together in the reserves, going backwards and forward from the first team, as we were the same position.
"Then I had a problem with my contract and I was back with the reserves.
"There was some rivalry for the position, like every team has, but we are good friends too.
"You have to fight for your place all the time, even in life.
"It is a big chance for us (him and Sturridge) because we always waited for this chance to be part of a big project at a big club.
"We both know Brendan and the way he thinks and works so that is helping us but we have to do our job as well."