Jurgen Klopp faces a selection dilemma ahead of Liverpool's Europa League semi-final clash against Villarreal on Thursday following Mamadou Sakho's suspension for failing a drugs test. The French defender could face a lengthy ban, which puts at risk his participation for his national team in the European Championship finals and for the Reds next season.
Liverpool are looking to reach their first European final since 2007 when they play Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday night.
The Reds beat Borussia Dortmund in a highly dramatic second leg of the quarter-finals which saw the Merseyside club come from 3-1 down to win 4-3, progressing to the semi-finals 5-4 on aggregate.
In La Liga, Villarreal have performed above expectations and are currently fourth in the league standings. However, they have failed to win their previous three league games.
Christian Benteke has travelled with Liverpool's squad for their Europa League semi-final first-leg tie in Villarreal. The Belgium international has not featured for the club since the 3-2 defeat at Southampton on March 20 after sustaining a knee injury training with the international side.
Marcelino in stark contrast can almost call upon a fully fit squad. Only Leo Baptistao is missing as Jaume Costa and Mateo Mussachio passed late fitness tests.
Cedric Bakambu has been in good form throughout Villarreal's Europa League campaign
This will be the first meeting between Villarreal and Liverpool in Europe.
Villarreal are winless in their last 10 games against English opposition (D6 L4) whilst Liverpool have lost three of their last four games against Spanish clubs.
This will be Liverpool's fourth European semi-final against a Spanish side; they've progressed from two of those but were eliminated last time versus Atletico Madrid in the 2009/10 Europa League semi-finals. Jurgen Klopp's side travel to El Madrigal, but the German has not won a UEFA game in Spain before. He will be looking to put that record straight to try and lead Liverpool to the Europa League title in Basel.
Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel will be vying for a place alongside Dejan Lovren ahead of Liverpool's clash against Villarreal
UEFA has indicated that Sakho can play the first-leg as no formal disciplinary proceedings have begun, but the Reds have made the defender unavailable for selection until the investigation has been concluded.
" 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," Liverpool explained in a statement on their official site.
"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."
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