Liverpool failure for key signing planted crucial Luis Suarez exit seed

Luis Suarez Liverpool

The failure of Fabio Borini to emerge as a key figure in Liverpool’s team proved crucial in Luis Suarez deciding to leave, according to a report.

Suarez signed for the Reds under Kenny Dalglish in January 2011 and quickly became a key part of the attack.

But change soon came, with Brendan Rodgers stamping his own mark on the club. Upon arriving in the dugout, attacker Borini and midfielder Joe Allen were his marquee first signings in summer 2012.

Allen also became a vital figure in the side, but Borini struggled to make a significant impact.

According to The Athletic, the Italian‘s failure to make his mark played a role in Suarez deciding to leave.

Indeed, the source claims that Suarez did not feel that he got enough competition from his fellow forward.

Therefore, as he approached his 27th birthday, the Uruguayan became ‘concerned about the direction of his career’.

What’s more, he questioned whether some of his controversial actions had come from such a lack of competition.

Suarez earned a reputation for moments such as the biting of Branislav Ivanovic, which earned him an eight-match ban towards the end of the 2012/13 campaign.

Luis Suarez Cardiff v Liverpool 2014

The striker eventually left for Barcelona in summer 2014 after the Reds’ near-miss in the Premier League title race.

He spent an illustrious six years in Spain before moving to Atletico Madrid in September last year.

Borini, meanwhile, had his game time hampered in his first season at Anfield by injury.

In fact, he only made 38 appearances before he moved to Sunderland in summer 2015, having had a loan spell in the North East in the 2013/14 term.

Different era, different problems

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool

Skip forward almost nine years from Borini’s arrival at Liverpool and the Reds have ended their 30-year wait for a top-flight title.

However, the defence of their crown looks all-but over following Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Part of Jurgen Klopp’s problem has undoubtedly been midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson playing in defence.

But amid their failing title defence, one pundit has urged manager Jurgen Klopp to play his two new centre-backs.

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