By Andrew Warshaw
April 25 – The climax to Liverpool’s first season under their charismatic German manager Jurgen Klopp, highlighted by reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League this week, has been marred by their highly rated £18 million central defender Mamadou Sakho being unavailable at the worst possible time after failing a drugs test.
Although the French international is not officially suspended, the club said he will “not be available” for selection whilst the process is ongoing.
UEFA confirmed that Sakho’s “adverse finding” took place following Liverpool’s Europa League fixture against Manchester United on March 17. “The player and the club have received all the pertinent information and have until Tuesday to request the analysis of the B sample as well as to provide explanations for the presence of a prohibited substance in the players’ body,” UEFA said. “There are no disciplinary proceedings opened at this stage.”
It has been reported that Sakho, signed from Paris St-Germain in 2013, tested positive for a type of fat burner to aid weight loss.
Sakho has played 34 games for Liverpool this season, including 10 in the Europa League, and scored in the dramatic 4-3 victory over Borussia Dortmund which secured Liverpool’s place in the semi-finals. He would have been an automatic selection for Thursday’s first leg at Villarreal.
As well as potentially damaging Liverpool’s Europa League hopes, a ban could well rule him out of Euro 2016 in his homeland which starts on June 10.
In a statement Liverpool said: “UEFA is investigating a possible anti-doping rule violation by Mamadou Sakho. The player will respond to UEFA on the matter. The player is currently not subject to any playing suspension. However, the club, in consultation with the player, has decided that while this process is followed the player will not be available for selection for matches.”
Nicknamed The Eiffel Tower because of his strength and size, Sakho has been among Liverpool’s most improved players in recent months and has become a firm fans’ favourite. Klopp, speaking after Saturday’s Premier League game against Newcastle, told reporters: “It is not the easiest situation that is for sure. All we can say about this, we will say when we know more, next week probably.”
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