The striker has struggled with injuries since joining from Roma last summer, and faces increased competition for a place following the arrival of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini will not leave the club on a loan deal, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.

The Italian has struggled with injuries since moving to Anfield last year, making just 20 appearances, and faces strong competition for a first-team berth following the arrivals of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto.

But, in light of Daniel Sturrdige’s starring role in the opening two games of the season, the Northern Irishman still believes the 22-year-old Borini has a role to play at Anfield.

Asked if the Italian would be made available for loan, Rodgers said: “Not at this moment in time.

“There would be a queue of clubs wanting to take him if he was available. We want to keep a strong group – it’s a very long season for us.

“You’ve got Daniel, Fabio, Aspas and Luis [Suarez] to come in a number of weeks. We want to make sure the competition in the group is there.”

As well as keeping Borini at the club, Rodgers also remains intent on making new signings before the transfer window shuts on September 2.

“We’ve got targets,” he continued. “While the window is still open we’ll continue to look to improve the squad. We’ll hopefully come out of the back of it with a stronger group.

“The idea is for us to strengthen that little bit more and hopefully we can do that.”

The 23-year-old has scored winning goals against Stoke and Aston Villa to preserve Liverpool’s perfect start to the season, and his manager is not in the least bit surprised

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists England are fortunate to have a striker of Daniel Sturridge’s quality.

The 23-year-old grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 Premier League win for the second consecutive week on Saturday, as the Merseyside club extended their 100 per cent record with a victory over Aston Villa.

Sturridge has now scored 12 goals in 16 top-flight appearances for Liverpool since ending a frustrating spell at Chelsea in order to make a £12 million move to Anfield in January.

And Rodgers believes the Manchester City academy graduate can now prove to be a big asset for national team boss Roy Hodgson.

“There is absolutely no question he is potentially the top English striker,” he said.

“He has got all the tools to be that. You look at him and people would think he is maybe a Brazilian striker, with his body physique and pace and power.

“England are fortunate to have him because he is a big talent – see his movement, his touch. If he continues and keeps his fitness, he would be a big threat for any team.

“He has got the England captain [Steven Gerrard] behind him, advising him and guiding him. He’s a number nine, he can move, he can sprint, he is a really good footballer as well, he is not just a goalscorer.

“But he knows he needs to be consistent, he needs to get himself the games and the goals.

“He’s never going to have a better platform and he has the confidence of a manager who has always believed in him. He’s not used to playing.

“But we just said to him: ‘You need to throw the dice, get out on the training field every day, work your socks off and everything else will take care of itself’.”

A 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday helped the Merseysiders record their best start to a season for five years, and their manager says a change in mood has helped

Brendan Rodgers believes team spirit has improved in the Liverpool camp since the start of last season.

Rodgers’ side were without a win in their opening five games last time out, but have started much better this campaign.

After beating Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield on the first weekend of the season, they won by the same scoreline at Aston Villa on Saturday. 

Despite speculation surrounding striker Luis Suarez’s future, Rodgers has praised how well his side have begun the season.

“It’s much better than last year,” the Liverpool boss said of the mood in the dressing room.

“It took us until September to get our first win. I think since January we have been getting better and improving. It’s all credit to the players. They have been absolutely first class.

“There’s a lot of speculation and maybe a lot of distractions over the course of the summer with everything that has been written.

“I think you have to give remarkable praise to them that we’ve just stayed and focused on our task which was to make a good start.”

With Arsenal ending their pursuit of Suarez and no apparent interest from Real Madrid, the Uruguay international remains a Liverpool player.

Rodgers feels that his side’s togetherness has helped them cope with the absence of Suarez, who is serving the remainder of a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season.

“For me it’s about the team. Suarez is a world-class striker and he’s proven that in his time at Liverpool,” Rodgers continued.

“The focus will always be on the team. So whoever goes into play, they have to play for the team. It was an outstanding team performance.”

Liverpool sit in second place after their two wins and face champions Manchester United at Anfield in their next Premier League fixture.