Liverpool are on the market for new defensive options following their nightmare run of results in the Premier League
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Liverpool have put an end to their concerning run of form on the pitch but they are still in need of strengthening their squad in 2026.
These early stages of the season have exposed weaknesses within Arne Slot’s team and they are already considering potential new recruits for January.
One particular area of concern is Liverpool’s defence and signing a new centre-back has become a priority at Anfield.
Liverpool ‘keeping tabs’ on centre-back transfer target
According to TBR Football, Liverpool are ‘keeping close tabs’ on Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis, along with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21-year-old has been attracting attention from a number of leagues recently and Spurs in particular are eyeing a potential January move.
Wolfsburg have a track record of selling impressive centre-backs to Premier League clubs. Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix both moved to England from Wolfsburg in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Now, Koulierakis looks like he could be the next in line, as interest builds ahead of the new year.
“Koulierakis is attracting a lot of attention across Europe, composed and left-sided – left-footed defenders do tend to carry a bit more of a premium and he is standing out at the moment,” TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey said.
Liverpool are especially keen on bringing in young but reliable central defenders next year. Virgil van Dijk turns 35 in July and his contract is due to expire in 2027. Ibrahima Konate will become a free agent at the end of the season if he cannot reach a new agreement with Liverpool, while Joe Gomez came close to leaving the Reds for AC Milan over the summer.
With new signing Giovanni Leoni also out with an ACL injury, Liverpool’s list of natural centre-backs are depleting and they are in serious need of reinforcements.
Will Ibrahima Konate leave Liverpool next year?
Konate’s contact saga continues to encourage speculation over his future. The France international was once a priority for Liverpool when it came to contract talks but discussions with Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk took centre stage instead.
Since then, discussions with Konate have come to a grinding halt and a report from Spanish outlet Marca in September claimed he has now rejected three new contract proposals from Liverpool.
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the defender’s position at Anfield, confirming he remains a target for Real Madrid next year. The Spanish giants are keen on signing a central defender on a free transfer.
“If Konate will go on a free next summer then Real Madrid will be very attentive to the situation. On the other side, Liverpool are still talking to his agents,” the transfer expert said on his YouTube channel.
“The Reds at this stage have the opportunity to still talk to the player. But Konate has the opportunity to decide whether he wants to stay at Liverpool are try a new chapter. There is a lot of interest in the player, not just Real Madrid.”