With Raheem Sterling sunning himself in Jamaica, Brendan Rodgers was always going to have to make a change up front for the Sunderland game. In truth, the 20-year-old winger is enjoying a well-deserved rest – this is the first Premier League game of the season he won’t feature in – after enduring a tough few weeks of leading the Reds’ line, which has coincided with some better attacking displays.

Italian ‘ace’ Mario Balotelli was expected to step into the XI, or possibly Rickie Lambert, but Rodgers has opted for Borini… interesting! The Italian spent last season on loan with the Black Cats, so his knowledge of the North East side may be key, plus his movement is a little better than his compatriot.

So how did Liverpool fans take the news? And does this mean the end of Balotelli?

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