Liverpool striker Fabio Borini 'will leave Anfield club in January' claims Craig Bellamy

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini will leave the club in the January transfer window, according to former Reds player Craig Bellamy.

The Italian has made just a single Premier League start this season and was sent off within 18 minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Despite Daniel Sturridge having spent much of the campaign out with separate thigh injuries, Borini has been rarely called upon by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who made the 23 year old his first signing at Anfield in the summer of 2012.

But ahead of the January transfer window, Borini – who spent last season on loan at Sunderland – is likely to become the first of a raft of exits from the Merseyside club and, according to Bellamy, the forward's days are numbered.

"He just looks frustrated to me," said Bellamy. "It hasn't worked out for Borini at Liverpool. He had a good spell at Sunderland, but that move didn't materialise.

"He hasn't had too much of a look in at Liverpool this season. To me, he just looked frustrated and it's very disappointing for him. I'll be surprised if he is still here in January."

Borini was unable to force through a permanent move to Sunderland, where he netted seven goals in 25 games to help the Black Cats survive relegation from the Premier League, despite manager Gus Poyet's desire to sign the out-of-favour Liverpool man.

But the Uruguayan boss remains keen on signing Borini in January, claiming earlier this month: "I would love to [sign Borini]. It is difficult to explain [how the summer deal collapsed].

"It was a long summer and the things everyone knows, we agreed a price and we flew to America [for Liverpool's pre-season tour] and he didn't come. The bottom line is he is not with us. I am trying to concentrate on what we have got."