Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho suspended after positive drug test following Manchester United Europa League clash

• Mamadou Sakho has recently impressed in the Liverpool defence 
• The 26-year-old has made 34 appearances for the Anfield club this season
• France international Sakho joined Liverpool from Paris St-Germain in 2013 

Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho is facing a six-month ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance believed to be a fat-burner aiding weight loss following the second leg of their Europa League tie against Manchester United on March 17.

Sakho, 26, will now have his B sample checked early next week before it is confirmed he has failed the drugs test.

Until that takes place, Sakho will not be available for selection including Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle United, a decision taken after discussions between the player, manager Jurgen Klopp and the club hierarchy. 

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho sprints away in celebration having scored in the Merseyside derby

If his second sample echoes the results of the first, Sakho is facing a lengthy suspension. His Liverpool team-mate Kolo Toure was suspended for six months when he was a Manchester City player after taking prohibited water tablets which he claimed he got from his wife to help him slim down. City also fined the player £740,000.

Liverpool's presence in the Europa League where they play a semi-final first leg against Villarreal in Spain on Thursday night seems assured as two players from the same team have to fail a test before a club can be sanctioned.

At the moment, it is only Sakho as an individual who is being investigated

The news will be a huge blow for Klopp as Sakho has been one of the team's most-improved players in recent weeks.

He played a big part in both the quarter-final victory against United and he scored in the epic 4-3 win against Borussia Dortmund nine days ago that put Liverpool in the last four.

Liverpool received notification of Sakho's test result on Friday and issued a statement at 1.30pm on Saturday just as the rest of the solemn-looking first-team squad arrived at Anfield to prepare for Newcastle. 

KOLO TOURE'S SIX MONTH BAN (2011) AFTER TAKING HIS WIFE'S DIET PILLS 

Kolo Toure received a six-month ban for failing a drugs test back in March 2011 during his Manchester City days.

The Ivory Coast defender tested positive because of a banned substance contained in a diet pill he was given by his wife.

Toure admitted the offence at an FA hearing five years ago but asked for the accidental nature of his actions to be taken into consideration.

The FA commission also heard written character references from City manager Roberto Mancini and Toure's former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

However the FA later announced that Toure had been banned for six months. City also fined the player £740,000

But given that he was suspended as soon as the offence came to light at the start of March 2011 he missed just a month of the start of the next Premier League campaign.

The 26-year-old headed in for Liverpool during the 4-0 demolition of Everton on Wednesday

SAKHO'S MATCHES SINCE UNITED

Mar 20 (PL) - Southampton (A) 2-3. 90 mins

Apr 2 (PL) - Tottenham (H) 1-1. 90 mins

Apr 7 (EL) - B. Dortmund (A) 1-1. 90 mins

Apr 14 (EL) - B.Dortmund (H) 4-3. 90 mins                          (Sakho scored)

Apr 17 (PL) - Bournemouth (A) 2-1. 23 mins

Apr 20 (PL) - Everton (H) 4-0. 90 mins

                   (Sakho scored)

The statement said: 'Yesterday, a formal communication was received from Uefa stating that they are 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.'

Sakho was signed by Liverpool from Paris St Germain in 2013 in a joint-deal with Thiago Ilori that cost around £25million. He has scored three goals in 80 games for the Anfield club.

He was dubbed The Eiffel Tower in France because of his size and strength and gone on to become a cult hero on The Kop for his whole-hearted if a little clumsy performances. 

Sakho has impressed for Jurgen Klopp's side this season, scoring twice in 34 appearances for the club