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Fabio Borini says he has no regrets about staying at Liverpool as he insisted: “I still believe I can be a success here.”

The Italian striker was advised by Brendan Rodgers to move on last summer but he snubbed moves to both Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.

Borini has found himself on the fringes of the Reds’ squad for most of the campaign - making just four starts and nine substitute appearances in all competitions. His 479 minutes of action have failed to yield a single goal.

But the 23-year-old frontman, who made his first Premier League start for four months in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Sunderland, is adamant that remaining at Anfield was the right decision for him. And he has ruled out going anywhere during the January transfer window.

“I’ve never regretted staying here,” Borini told the ECHO.

“Yes, I could have left but I wanted to stay at Liverpool and I’m glad I did.

“To be honest, going back to last summer, I didn’t expect to play as much as I have done so far.

“With Daniel Sturridge’s injuries, I’ve played more than I expected. I think I’ve done okay.

“I probably should have scored a couple of goals from the few chances I’ve had but I’m quite happy with my season so far.

“I won’t be leaving this month either. I started the last game and I don’t see any reason why I would need to change clubs. I see it as all positive for me.”

Liverpool were keen last summer to grasp the opportunity to make a profit on the £10.4million they paid Roma for Borini.

The Reds agreed a £14million deal with Sunderland and then a £13million package with QPR. However, on both occasions the player held talks but opted to stay put – despite Rodgers’ warnings about a bit-part role.

Take a look at Fabio Borini's Liverpool career so far

Borini was heavily criticised for being happy to sit on the sidelines and collect his wages.

But he has hit back at suggestions his decision demonstrated either a lack of ambition or motivation. Borini insists despite the offer of regular first-team football elsewhere, he simply wasn’t prepared to wave goodbye to life at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

“The reason I said no to the clubs who wanted to sign me was that I wanted to play for a top four club,” he said.

“I wanted to play in the Champions League and in the biggest European competitions.

“I don’t think you can blame any player for having that kind of ambition.

“For me it was all about what I want to achieve in the future with my life.

“I took into account my football and also my personal life (he’s engaged to Liverpool model Erin O’Neill).

“That’s why I decided to stay at Liverpool. I have no regrets. This is what I want.

“It was never about money. If that was my motivation then I would have left for Dubai and I’d be playing football over there.

“I never looked at money. It was only ever about football and my ambitions. I still believe I can be a success at Liverpool.”

Borini was Rodgers’ first signing after he took over at Anfield in the summer of 2012.

The Northern Irishman had worked with him previously at Swansea when he took him on loan from Chelsea.

Borini scored on his home Liverpool debut against Gomel but endured a difficult first season with a broken foot and then a dislocated shoulder limiting him to just 20 appearances.

With Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez for competition, he was sent to Sunderland on a season-long loan last term. He proved a big hit as he netted 10 goals in the North East but always intended to return to Anfield and force his way back into Rodgers’ plans.

His Reds career currently consists of 32 outings spread across two and a half years, and he has scored just two goals for the club – the last of which was at St James’ Park back in April 2013.

“I’ve never had a full season here,” Borini said.

“In my first year here I was unlucky with injuries.

“I wasn’t able to really prove myself and then in the second year I went out on loan.

“This is really the season for me. Yes, I haven’t played much, I don’t know why, but that’s not up to me.

“I’m working hard every day to show the manager that I can help. I want to prove myself here.”

Borini’s burning desire to impress got him in hot water before Christmas when he was sent off against Arsenal. Within 16 minutes of coming off the bench, he picked up two yellow cards – the first for kicking the ball away and the second for a reckless lunge on Santi Cazorla.

“I had too much energy that day,” he said.

“I was excited to play. I wanted to come on and turn the game.

“I didn’t have enough control of my emotions. That’s why the red card was shown to me.

“I’ve never got red cards before. I think it was down to frustration and wanting to do well having not played so much. It happened and I’ve learned from it.”

Last weekend was a step in the right direction for Borini, who led the line at the Stadium of Light. He hadn’t started in the league since September’s trip to Upton Park.

“It’s never easy to get into it when you haven’t started many games because you aren’t used to the rhythm and the tempo of the game,” he said.

“There is also the emotion that you have when you play a game. I love football and when I got that chance to play I really wanted to take it.

“It was great to be part of it and to help the team get a win to keep this run going.

“That’s what I work for every day – to try to show I deserve to start matches.”

Borini is desperate to keep his place for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa as the Reds look to step up their charge for Champions League qualification. Given an extended run in the side, he’s convinced he will win over the doubters.

“Trying to get a consistent spell in the team is the key for me,” he added.

“I hope to play against Villa and I just need that one goal to start me off - maybe one which hits my back and goes in.

“If I am consistent in my work and show that to my team-mates and the manager I’m sure I’ll get the run I want.”

Watch: Fabio Borini delights kids at Anfield's Four Oaks Primary by playing dodgeball with them

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Fabio Borini paid a special visit to Four Oaks Primary School in Anfield to take part in a Premier League School Sports Programme delivered by the Liverpool FC Foundation.

The Italian striker joined a group of 30 Year 5 students for a game of dodgeball before conducting a Q and A session with the youngsters.

“It’s really important as players that we show our support for the great work the club does in the community,” Borini said.

“Events like this connect the club to the people who live in the city. Kids like these are the future of the city.

“It’s good to see them enjoying physical exercise rather than just sitting in the house playing computer games.

“It was fun to join in with their session. It’s important for the kids to have role models, not just in football, but in life.”

The Premier League School Sports Programme delivers high-quality curriculum time coaching aimed at improving physical activity and teaching and developing new skills.

The Liverpool FC Foundation delivers two curriculum PE sessions at Four Oaks every Thursday, as well as an after-school football club.

Andrea Cooper, head of Liverpool FC Foundation, said: “We deliver the Premier League School Sports Programme and Foundation Mini Leagues in 60 schools across the city region, bringing a wealth of sporting opportunities to hundreds of youngsters. This is something we are keen to develop to increase sporting participation and help more local children and their families to become active.”