Fabio Borini

[Exiled_red]

He will still be here at the start of the season I have no doubts about that, with Suarez suspended (assuming he is still here) and Sturridge probably not fully fit. Of our current squad Borini could start the season as first choice striker. But as I say he is young, inexperienced and beyond those games unlikely to start regularly, which in other circumstances IMO would make him a candidate for a spell out on loan somewhere.

[danperkins]

If borini starts as the season as first choice striker IMO we are going to have problems. At the moment he really isn't good enough IMO.

[Gibbo]

The reason that I believe in him is the fact that it is clear to see that Borini has a footballing brain, he gets himself into some good positions and sometimes his technique lets him down. but with more football and more confidence his technique will improve. His footballing brain is something that can't be taught though IMO. With regular play I imagine we will see him get a few goals.

I don't think he will be a world beater, not by a long shot. But he could be good for 10 goals a season, and probably is good enough to lead the line in the league cup. We probably paid too much but he is here now so we are best making the most of it.

I echo other peoples opinion in that he has to play through the middle to be effective though.

[RichC]

The reason that I believe in him is the fact that it is clear to see that Borini has a footballing brain, he gets himself into some good positions and sometimes his technique lets him down. but with more football and more confidence his technique will improve. His footballing brain is something that can't be taught though IMO. With regular play I imagine we will see him get a few goals.

I don't think he will be a world beater, not by a long shot. But he could be good for 10 goals a season, and probably is good enough to lead the line in the league cup. We probably paid too much but he is here now so we are best making the most of it.

I echo other peoples opinion in that he has to play through the middle to be effective though.

If he's our 3rd choice striker then he's going to be an upgrade on what we've had previously there.

[danperkins]

IMO he's a bit of a headless chicken and his technique is not there, but he does get into good positions no doubts.

I agree that playing through the middle is the only option for his type of game, very much a box man, but IMO i'd be very worried if he was our first choice CF come next season. And also from his perspective and progressing as a footballer, sitting on the bench all season isn't really going to do him or LFC any favours.

[Gibbo]

I imagine with Sturridge out we will see Aspas move into CF with Sterling from wide.

[danperkins]

I imagine with Sturridge out we will see Aspas move into CF with Sterling from wide.

possibly mate, although the way lFC are going christ only knows who we'll have signed by then

[Exiled_red]

If borini starts as the season as first choice striker IMO we are going to have problems. At the moment he really isn't good enough IMO.

Obviously I am hoping that he isn't first choice, but with the squad we have at the moment it is a possibility that he will be the only option come the first day of the season...

[dom9]

Hands up if you think Borini is better than N'gog?

[Mostar]

The reason that I believe in him is the fact that it is clear to see that Borini has a footballing brain, he gets himself into some good positions and sometimes his technique lets him down. but with more football and more confidence his technique will improve. His footballing brain is something that can't be taught though IMO. With regular play I imagine we will see him get a few goals.

I don't think he will be a world beater, not by a long shot. But he could be good for 10 goals a season, and probably is good enough to lead the line in the league cup. We probably paid too much but he is here now so we are best making the most of it.

I echo other peoples opinion in that he has to play through the middle to be effective though.

His technique is poor but he has a very good positional sense especially inside the box.

It will be interesting to see if he can be effective from the bench now that he is healthy as I cannot see him being part of starting 11 regardless if Suarez stays or goes.

He said himself that that is his preferred position and he hopes that he can play there.

[RichC]

Hands up if you think Borini is better than N'gog?

[Gibbo]

[RedReet]

Hands up if you think Borini is better than N'gog?

The big difference for me is that N'gog had pace and skill and you hoped that once he filled out and matured he'd be a handful for defenders. Sadly he always seemed to lack confidence and didn't fulfill his potential.

Borini however doesn't really have any stand out attributes. Yes, he does work hard and has clever movement but at best he's a poor man's Kuyt and even as a better all round player with a lot more strength, Kuyt struggled in the loan striker role. If Borini proves half as effective out wide as Kuyt was then there is definitely a place for him here, but the evidence so far suggests he wont.

If someone quotes some earlier posts of mine I'll probably seem like a hypocrite as until recently I was in full support of Borini. However, I was really hoping he would shine at the U-21 Euros, but after watching him against England and then comparing him to the likes of Coutinho, Sturidge and Suarez, I feel he comes up short. I definitely think he deserves another year to prove himself, but my gut instinct is that he'll be sold in the next 12 months.

[Exiled_red]

It's way too early to judge him given the injuries and the fact that he's had so few games.

[dom9]

It's way too early to judge him given the injuries and the fact that he's had so few games.

Too early to conclude that he's injury proved?