Liverpool are clearly going to be on the hunt for a new centre-back over the next couple of months
At present, Arne Slot has just three senior centre-backs at his disposal following Jarell Quansah’s £35m move to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving a significant gap in Liverpool’s defensive ranks. While Wataru Endo could fill in as a makeshift fourth-choice option, and Joe Gomez offers versatility, the latter’s inconsistency means reinforcements are clearly needed.
In recent weeks, Liverpool have been heavily linked with several central defenders, and one name appears to be emerging as the most logical and cost-effective solution: Konstantinos Koulierakis.
Liverpool monitoring Konstantinos Koulierakis
Liverpool have tracked Koulierakis for some time, and according to journalist David Lynch, the club have stepped up their interest in the 21-year-old Wolfsburg defender this summer. The Greek international fits the mould of what the Reds are looking for — a young centre-back with high potential and room for development.
With Quansah gone and Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation unresolved, bringing in someone like Koulierakis is becoming more urgent. While Giovanni Leoni is another young talent being considered, his preference to stay in Italy makes a deal more complicated.
Why Koulierakis could be the perfect fit
Koulierakis is known for his aggressive style of defending, something that often translates well in the physically demanding Premier League. Despite his young age, he has already gained meaningful experience in the Bundesliga — a league with similarities in intensity and pace to England’s top flight.
While Marc Guehi would arguably walk straight into Liverpool’s starting XI due to his Premier League pedigree, his £40m price tag and expiring contract make him a more expensive gamble. In contrast, Koulierakis would cost significantly less, still brings high upside, and wouldn’t demand an immediate starting role.
At 21, he could be moulded into a long-term partner or successor to Virgil van Dijk, learning the ropes under one of the modern era’s greatest centre-backs.
Verdict
With Liverpool needing depth, balance, and future-proofing at the back, Konstantinos Koulierakis looks like the smartest option currently on the table. He combines value, experience, and potential — a profile that aligns perfectly with Liverpool’s transfer strategy under Slot and Hughes.
Whether the Reds push ahead with a formal bid remains to be seen, but Koulierakis may soon prove too good to ignore.