Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has high hopes for new signing Fabio Borini.

The striker became Rodgers’ first signing as Reds boss after finalising a long-term deal from Roma to Anfield for a fee Press Association Sport understands is in the region of £7.9million.

Borini will be reunited with Rodgers, with whom he worked in the Chelsea youth set up and then spent a short spell on loan at Swansea in the 2010/11 season.

And Rodgers is confident the Italian can play a prominent role in the coming seasons for Liverpool.

“Fabio fits the model of what we’re trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“He’s a big talent, 21 years of age, he scores goals, and his passion, focus and concentration are a very important part of his game - and a big part of what you want from a player.

“I think the supporters will love him. He’s a multi-functional player who can play in a number of positions and someone I believe has got great growth.

“I’d anticipate that over the next two or three years he’ll really progress and I’m sure do very well for Liverpool.

“He is arguably the best physical player I’ve worked with in terms of his pace, power and fitness.

“Mentally, he’s very strong. We’ve got a player who is on the up and someone who I think Liverpool will benefit from.”

For his part, Borini is desperate to reward Rogers’ faith in him by firing Liverpool back into the Champions League.

“I hope to achieve the maximum I can, by scoring goals, getting into the Champions League and all of the things the club also wants – and all the other players,” he said.

“It’s a top club that has won a lot of trophies in the past – and will do so in the future we hope as well.”

While his arrival signals the start of Rodgers’ restructuring there are other players awaiting developments over their futures, although midfielder Maxi Rodriguez has already finalised his.

The 31-year-old Argentinian has rejoined former club Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland having never established himself as a regular first-team starter after joining from Atletico Madrid in January 2010 but he still managing some stand-out performances.

Rodriguez scored 17 goals in 73 appearances, the highlights being two hat-tricks in the space of a couple of weeks against Birmingham and Fulham in 2011, while last season he scored in two victories over Chelsea in quick succession at Stamford Bridge.

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