Liverpool team news: Christian Benteke returns for Villarreal Europa League semi final but Mamadou Sakho unavailable

Benteken has not played since injuring knee ligaments last month

Benteke has struggled for form and playing time since arriving at Anfield (Getty)

Christian Benteke has travelled with the Liverpool squad to Spain for their Europa League semi-final first-leg with Villarreal.

The Belgian has missed the last month after sustaining a knee ligament injury on international duty.

Benteke's return boosts striking options for Jürgen Klopp after Divock Origi sustained what is likely to be a season-ending ankle ligament injury in the Merseyside derby victory over Everton last Wednesday following Ramiro Funes Mori's red card tackle.

Though Benteke has scored eight times for Liverpool this season, he has so far struggled to play regularly under Klopp and his availability to other clubs is under discussion among Liverpool's hierarchy.

Mamadou Sakho, who is under investigation by Uefa for failing a drugs test, was not on the plane that departed John Lennon Airport. He will be unavailable while disciplinary proceedings continue.

The defender has chosen not to challenge the results of his failed drugs test and is now facing a long ban from the game.

The France international has accepted the findings of a drugs test taken after Liverpool's Europa League tie at Manchester United on March 17.

It is understood the evidence of a fat-burning substance was discovered in the test.


 Sakho gave the positive test after last month's Europe League match at United 
 (Getty)

He did not request the examination of a B sample by Tuesday's deadline and Liverpool have not commented on the defender’s decision.

Sakho agrees with the club's view that he should remain unavailable for selection while Uefa’s investigation gathers pace.