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Mamadou Sakho ban: Liverpool defender suspended for 30 days after Uefa open proceedings over failed drug test

Sakho has been given a preliminary 30-day ban by Uefa but could still face a longer suspension

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 28 April 2016 13:35 BST

(2016 Liverpool FC)

Mamadou Sakho has been banned for 30 days by Uefa after the European governing body opened proceedings against the Liverpool defender following a doping violation.

Sakho missed the weekend 2-2 draw with Newcastle after it emerged he had failed a drug test following the Europa League match at Manchester United last month, and he has not travelled to Spain with the rest of Jurgen Klopp’s squad for Thursday’s semi-final first-leg against Villarreal.

Sakho decided not to challenge Uefa’s charge for an alleged anti-doping violation - reported to have been for a fat-burning drug - and has accepted a 30-day preliminary ban that will come off any suspension he is given once the case is resolved. Sakho is expected to have a Uefa hearing on Friday.

Sakho had enjoyed a strong run of form of late with Liverpool going on a five-match unbeaten run that has also seen them reach the Europa League semi-finals and offer the club one last chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Show all 12

1/12Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Daniel Sturridge

An electric frontman just three years ago, Sturridge has now lost a bit of that spark due to persistent injury problems. However, according to Jamie Carragher, Sturridge has become irked at speculation linking him with a move away, suggesting he may yet stick around to prove himself. Survival rating: 6/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Alberto Moreno

Moreno is surely in line to depart this summer, having been frozen out of the starting line-up since the opening day win at Arsenal and kept out by a makeshift left-back. Although he offers an obvious attacking threat, his lack of composure has cost Liverpool too many times in his short Anfield career. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Simon Mignolet

He may have won his battle with Loris Karius for the starting spot between the sticks, but both may have lost the war. Neither have convinced when given an opportunity and Mignolet is merely the man in possession. There will be concern if that’s still the case come next season’s opening weekend. Survival rating: 8/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Emre Can

A player with undoubted potential, but one who has consistently under-performed. His contractual situation is a worry, too. Can’s current deal expires in the summer of 2018 and, with negotiations progressing slowly, Liverpool could be tempted to cash in. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lucas Leiva

A club stalwart, a fan favourite, but a player undoubtedly coming to the end of his time at Anfield. His contract expires this summer and a renewal would be one borne out of sentiment rather than sense. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Loris Karius

Like Mignolet, Karius' future will depend on whether Klopp decides to enter the market for a goalkeeper for the second consecutive summer. If he does, last year's signing from Mainz will have a long road back to the first team. He is young, though, and his status as a relatively new signing could work in his favour. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Ragnar Klavan

Brought in as a fourth-choice centre-back last summer, Klavan shot up the pecking order following Mamadou Sakho’s disciplinary issues. Joel Matip’s injury problems saw Klavan promoted further still and, though he has put in a handful of solid displays, others have been below-par. If a new centre-back arrives and Joe Gomez’s development continues apace, Klavan will be back on the fringes. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is currently out on loan at Crystal Palace and his Anfield career looks all but over after the disciplinary problems which have dogged him. Klopp looks to have made his mind up on the defender, who would be a regular starter if he had his manager's trust. Survival rating: 1/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Jon Flanagan

Local-born Flanagan is a fan favourite who only signed a new contract last season, but as an old-fashioned full-back, he is perhaps not dynamic enough for Klopp's system. A lack of minutes at loan club Burnley will not have helped his cause. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Andre Wisdom

Wisdom broke into Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side during the Northern Irishman's first season at the club, but his progress has stagnated. The 23-year-old may now look to build a career away from English football, having spent this season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lazar Markovic

Markovic seems destined to become an expensive Liverpool flop, having flattered to deceive since his £20million move from Benfica in 2014. He could yet enjoy success elsewhere however, and has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent while on loan at Hull. Survival rating: 3/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Danny Ings

Liverpool's forgotten man has been unlucky with injuries since joining from Burnley. Ings has made just 11 starts in two years following two serious knee injuries. With any luck, Klopp will show sympathy to his beleaguered striker. Survival rating: 6/10

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The former Paris Saint-Germain defender has faced questions over his suitability since arriving at Anfield in 2013, but under Klopp he has formed a strong partnership with Dejan Lovren that is keeping both Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure out of the side.

The club took the decision to drop Sakho from the matchday squad for last weekend’s visit of Newcastle, and he did not travel to Spain despite Uefa yet to impose a ban on the centre-back – something that they have now applied for an initial 30 days.

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