Fabio targets Euro fitness boost
Fabio Borini is targeting the final two Barclays Premier League games of the season and this summer's U21 European Championships as key to making sure he's fully fit for Liverpool's 2013-14 campaign.
After an injury-hit debut season in L4 the Italian international is desperate to make up for lost time and show Reds fans just what he can do for the club.
Borini is likely to represent Italy in the summer's U21 European Championships, with an intriguing opening clash with England on June 5 and a reunion with a host of Anfield teammates representing the Young Lions.
After making two substitute appearances against Newcastle United and Everton, the No.29 is now hoping for a start in Sunday's final away game of 2012-13 against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Borini told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm ready [to start]. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time now and hopefully it will come in these next two games.
"These two games are important for me to get as many minutes as I can.
"I will play in the Euros during the summer, which will be great for me to use for fitness so I can be ready for the start of the new season.
"It's very important for us to end the season with a couple of victories. We only drew against Everton and, for us, these two games are like the beginning of next season because we want to improve and be even better."
One player likely to be facing Liverpool on Sunday is Fulham's leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov - a man Borini has a big respect for.
"He's a different kind of striker to me but technically he is very good," he said. "He won titles at Manchester United, he is a key player for them and we need to keep an eye on him."
Besides the absence of Luis Suarez, Liverpool will also head into their final two Premier League games of the campaign without injured duo Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger.
For Jamie Carragher it's an emotional end to a distinguished Anfield career as he prepares to hang up his boots - and Borini is calling on his teammates to help Liverpool's No.23 end his career on a winning note.
He said: "It's not just that we are without Stevie, Luis and Agger because this will give more chances for the young players to improve themselves and get game time, which is always important for them.
"For Carra it is a great end to his career and for everything he has done for this club. We will miss him and the club will miss him."
Meanwhile, Borini is also hoping to fire more goals in a red shirt after netting his first top-flight goal for the club during the 6-0 mauling of Newcastle last month.
Reflecting on the strike, he said: "It's something you can't actually describe in words but it's something that was amazing.
"It's been frustrating to wait all that time to get it but it was amazing to get my first Premier League goal for Liverpool."