Liverpool have confirmed that striker Fabio Borini has broken his foot and will be on the sidelines for three months, according to Sky Sports.

The sprightly attacker was on international duty with Italy under-21’s in preparation for a match with Sweden, but went over on his ankle in training and was forced to return to the Merseyside club early.

The initial prognosis was not positive but the Anfield medical staff were determined to test Borini to ascertain the extent of the knock.

However, it is bad news for Brendan Rodgers’ men as it has been deemed that Borini has broken a bone in his foot and will now be forced to undergo surgery to remedy the problem.

Borini will be disappointed with the news given that he has had a slow start to his time in England, and has failed to net for the Reds in the Premier League as yet.

The injury blow will leave Liverpool very short of options in attack, with Luis Suarez now the only recognised and available forward in the club’s squad.

Suarez has been harbouring the brunt of the goalscoring responsibility as it is, but will now be by himself in attack for the side.

Rodgers decided to loan Andy Carroll to West Ham in the summer and failed to bring in a replacement, much to the anger of the club’s fans, and it now appears that his decision has backfired.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will look to buy a new attacker in the January transfer window, or if Carroll will be recalled.

By Gareth McKnight