Toure says it’s hell for Sakho

KOLO TOURE is predicting a ‘tough road’ ahead for team-mate Mamadou Sakho after the Liverpool defender failed a drugs test. Toure served a six-month ban after failing a drugs test for diet pills when he was at Manchester City in 2011 and was the man who replaced Sakho in Jurgen Klopp’s side for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with

Newcastle. And while Toure said he had not yet spoken to Sakho, 26, who faces a ban of anywhere between six months and two years, he confirmed how difficult it is for any player caught with a banned substance in their system by anti-doping testers. ‘I haven’t spoken with Mama,’ said Toure. ‘But I’ve been there and it has been really difficult, definitely. ‘I don’t want to remember that because it has been tough for me. I don’t even want to talk about that because it is very hard.’ Last night Liverpool officials were unable to confirm whether Sakho — who, it is believed, has used some form of fat burner to aid weight loss — will ask UEFA doping officials to test the B sample he provided after the Europa League game against Manchester United on March 17. The Frenchman has until tomorrow to decide but he is highly unlikely to play again this season for Liverpool. There is no suggestion that Liverpool, who face Villarreal on Thursday, could be kicked out of the Europa League. More than two players have to fail drugs tests on the same night for UEFA to take any action against the club. Liverpool learned that Sakho (above) had failed the test on Friday but have not yet opened any disciplinary proceedings against him. The substance allegedly found in Sakho’s system has not been named but it is believed to be a fat burner. The defender has struggled with his weight since he arrived at Liverpool and lost his place at the start of season because of his physical condition. But Sakho has really found his form under Klopp and scored crucial goals in Anfield victories over Dortmund — in the Europa League — and Everton. There is no suggestion from Germany that Dortmund will lodge a complaint to UEFA about Sakho’s decisive involvement in their quarter-final defeat.