Liverpool defender Sakho Suspended for Indefinite Period after Failed Drug Test

Mamadou Sakho by Jon Candy, (CC BY-SA 2.0)

In a shocking announcement ahead of their meeting with Newcastle United on Saturday, Liverpool have suspended French defender Mamadou Sakho after a failed drug test. According to the club’s official website, the player was taking a “fat burner” as a result of which he failed the drug test.

Although there are no rules that prevent players from playing while the investigation is ongoing, Liverpool have decided that it is in the best interests of both the player and the club that Sakho remains sidelined while the investigation is ongoing.

Sakho signed for Liverpool 2-Seasons ago and has been a stalwart in the Liverpool defense. While he has been at Anfield for more than 2-years now, the last few months were the best that Sakho enjoyed in Liverpool colors. His partnership with fellow defender Dejan Lovren was flourishing and Liverpool were benefiting as a result.

However, now that Sakho has been suspended for an indefinite period, Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp faces a selection dilemma ahead of his team’s Europa League Semi-final next week.

The Reds will travel to Spanish Club Villarreal next Thursday, with the Spanish club making a return visit to Anfield in the following weekend.

According to sources, this test was carried out after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Manchester United in the Europa League Pre-quarter final.

Thus, while the player might be subjected to a ban, the club will get away unscathed. Had the results of the test arrived before the start of that fixture, Liverpool might have been eradicated from this Season’s Europa League.

Looking at his substitutions and Jurgen Klopp has 2 defenders to choose from the substitution bench. Although both Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel would be gunning to replace the suspended Sakho, it looks likely that it will be the Slovakian who would replace the French defender in the Liverpool Starting XI.