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.
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.
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