Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has expressed his excitement at playing in the Europa League.

Having beaten Hearts to qualify for the group stages of the competition, the Reds face Young Boys tonight in their Group A opener.

The Italian enjoyed a brief spell of European action during his time with Chelsea but is excited at the prospect of once again playing in Europe.

"I think it's a great competition to play because it's really close to the level of the Champions League," Borini told the club's official website.

"I think it's got the same importance because at the end the champions will play against the champions of the Champions League, which is a great pleasure.

"It's a very good level because you can see it has got many teams that won the league as well or just came third."

The Merseysiders are joined in Group A by Italian outfit Udinese and Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.