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Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will plead mitigating factors to UEFA as he battles to avoid a long suspension for failing a drugs test.

The ECHO understands that the France international has not requested for the governing body to test the B sample he gave in the wake of the Reds' Europa League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford last month.

Sakho learned last Friday that he had tested positive for use of a 'fat burner' following the last 16 second leg tie on March 17.

UEFA's investigation is ongoing and a doping charge is likely to follow now that Sakho hasn't requested for the B sample to be rested.

Liverpool FC are remaining tight-lipped on the issue but the centre-back won't travel with Jurgen Klopp's squad to Spain on Wednesday ahead of Thursday night's Europa League semi-final first leg with Villarreal.

The Reds won't pass any comment on the matter until the issue has been resolved between UEFA and Sakho.

The club and the player have jointly agreed that Sakho won't be considered for selection while the process is ongoing.

The £18million defender could be banned for up to two years but with mitigation that could be reduced to as low as six months.