Borini injury leaves Liverpool facing striker crisis
October 18, 2012 -- Updated 0817 GMT (1617 HKT)
Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has been ruled out for up to three months after being forced to undergo surgery on a broken foot.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Fabio Borini ruled out for three months with broken foot
- Luis Suarez only fit and available senior striker at the club
- Andy Carroll out on loan at West Ham and won't return before January at the earliest
- Liverpool currently 14th in Premier League with just one win this season
PFA chairman: Serbia should be banned
(CNN) -- Liverpool is facing a striker crisis after Fabio Borini was ruled out for three months on Wednesday.
Borini, who arrived in July following a $17million move from Roma, will undergo surgery for a broken foot and not return until 2013.
The Italy striker suffered the initial blow during the recent defeat by Manchester United before aggravating the problem while on international duty.
Liverpool to stay at 'spiritual home' of Anfield as stadium plans revealed
His absence leaves Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers with just one fit senior striker in Luis Suarez , having already loaned out Andy Carroll to English Premier League rivals West Ham United.
Rain stops play
Roy's night ruined
Rocchi road to nowhere
Take me home
Wayne's world
Jermain man
Pole position
Feeling blue
HIDE CAPTION
Water World: Poland vs England

England midfielder Danny Rose claims he was subjected to monkey chants before, during and after the second-leg of their Under-21 Euro 2013 playoff match against Serbia on Tuesday, and had stones thrown at him by the crowd in Krusevac. Fans also ran on to the pitch and scuffles broke out after a 1-0 win secured England qualification for Euro 2013.
The Macedonia FA were fined $26,000 after fans racially abused England trio Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Emile Heskey during a qualifying game for Euro 2004.
In September 2011, Bulgaria were fined $55,000 after a small number of fans directed monkey chants at England's Ashley Young, Cole and Theo Walcott during a Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia.
Russia was hit with a $38,000 punishment after supporters made monkey noises towards Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie during Euro 2012
The Croatian FA were ordered to pay a $16,000 fine after their fans were found guilty of "displaying a racist banner and showing racist conduct during the Euro 2008 quarter-final tie against Turkey.
Russia were again in the news for the wrong reasons at Euro 2012 and were fined $39,00 for "the setting off and throwing of fireworks by Russia spectators, displaying of illicit banners and the invasion of the pitch by a supporter," during the Euro 2012 tie against Poland. Russia was also fined $155,000 after clashes between supporters and police during and after their game against the Czech Republic.
Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner was given a one-match ban and a $126,000 fine after he lifted his shirt to reveal a betting company's logo on his underwear while celebrating a goal against Portugal in a Euro 2012 group game.
Porto were hit by a $27,000 fine after their fans were found guilty of subjecting Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli to monkey chants during a Europa League game in February 2012. It took UEFA six weeks to finally hand out a punishment. But questions were raised after UEFA also fined City $40,000 after the club were found guilty of coming back out on to the field of play late after the halftime interval.
Serbia scuffles
Macedonia punished
Trouble in Bulgaria
Russian FA hit with fine
Croatia in the dock
Crackdown on Russia
Bendtner loses gamble
Porto punished
HIDE CAPTION
Soccer racism in Eastern Europe
Liverpool currently sits 14th in the Premier League with just one victory this season and is already 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
And the five-time European champions face a struggle in attack following the news Borini will be out of action following a difficult start to his career at Anfield.
The 21-year-old has failed to score a single goal in the Premier League with his sole strike coming on his debut in the Europa League against Belarusian minnows Gomel.
Rodgers, who also coached the Italian during a spell at Swansea City, is a huge admirer of the forward and has endorsed Borini on numerous occasions.
But the Liverpool manager now faces a selection headache for Saturday's game at Reading with the Reds just three points above the relegation zone.
There a several young players who could fill in with Daniel Pacheco, Samed Yesil, Jerome Sinclair and Adam Morgan all capable of playing as a striker.
Rodgers defends Liverpool's Suarez amid accusations of diving
But with Liverpool enduring such a slow start to the season, the pressure will now move on to the shoulders of Suarez. The Uruguay international has scored seven goals so far this season.
Part of complete coverage on
June 19, 2013 -- Updated 1231 GMT (2031 HKT)
In Brazil many believe the World Cup has seen the rich line their pockets, while the poor make do with crumbling public services.
No European team has ever won a World Cup in South America, but that could likely change next year, says CNN's John Sinnott.
June 14, 2013 -- Updated 1950 GMT (0350 HKT)
Brazil's fans were ready to celebrate a first World Cup triumph, but what happened next has left a burning scar in the nation's psyche.
NN World Sport examines why racism continues to be a problem in football and what is being done to tackle discrimination.
June 13, 2013 -- Updated 1207 GMT (2007 HKT)
Germany's Under-21s may bowed out of the European Championship Finals in Israel, but their experiences left a lasting impression.
Be part of CNN's coverage of European Champions League matches and join the social debate.
CNN's James Masters has had a close look at the next generation of European football stars at the U21 championship in Israel.
June 6, 2013 -- Updated 1425 GMT (2225 HKT)
A former Palestinian player, once held without charge for three years, is campaigning for a boycott of Israel's staging of a major European tournament.
May 23, 2013 -- Updated 1052 GMT (1852 HKT)
When Germany's two biggest soccer clubs go head-to-head in the Champions League final, there can only be one winner: German industry.
May 22, 2013 -- Updated 1356 GMT (2156 HKT)
The Bundesliga model of sustainability is very much in vogue. But are Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund creating a dangerous duopoly?
May 23, 2013 -- Updated 1015 GMT (1815 HKT)
CNN takes an exclusive look at the venue of the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
May 17, 2013 -- Updated 1710 GMT (0110 HKT)
David Beckham embraced his tag as a "gay icon" and has been credited with breaking the big taboo -- homosexuality in football.
May 13, 2013 -- Updated 0750 GMT (1550 HKT)
'King' Alex Ferguson is quitting Manchester United but the $3.17 billion brand will survive, according to experts.
May 7, 2013 -- Updated 1418 GMT (2218 HKT)
Italian football lags behind its other European rivals commercially, but newly-crowned Italian champions Juventus is showing Serie A clubs an example of revival.
April 24, 2013 -- Updated 1434 GMT (2234 HKT)
Luis Suarez's biting of Branislav Ivanovic is the latest episode of moments of madness when soccer stars behave badly.
March 29, 2013 -- Updated 0938 GMT (1738 HKT)
Sunderland's partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation is part of its bid to woo the African market.
March 28, 2013 -- Updated 1558 GMT (2358 HKT)
Each year as many as 700 Cameroonian young footballers leave Africa in search of a professional career abroad.
May 6, 2013 -- Updated 1201 GMT (2001 HKT)
Referees across Europe are feeling the heat. Insulted, threatened, chased off the field, attacked, hospitalized and, tragically, killed.
February 26, 2013 -- Updated 1225 GMT (2025 HKT)
Footballers have a battery of physios, fitness trainers and doctors all striving to fine-tune their physique -- but are they missing a trick?
June 10, 2013 -- Updated 1041 GMT (1841 HKT)
Hardcore Italian football "ultra" Federico is a Lazio supporter who happily admits directing monkey chants at black players.
Today's five most popular stories