Another crucial summer transfer window awaits for Liverpool as they seek to pour cold water on a growing dumpster fire. After splashing over $600 million on talent last year, the Reds find themselves with a thinner squad than come the end of Arne Slot’s debut season, and steps must be taken at the to bolster an array of departments after a calamitous campaign. One area that requires major surgery is center back, especially following the revelation that Ibrahima Konaté will not extend his Anfield stay, instead leaving on a free transfer this summer. With Konaté departing, Liverpool now only have veteran Virgil van Dijk, the injury-prone Joe Gomez and the precocious duo of Giovanni Leoni and Jérémy Jacquet as specialists at center back, forcing them into the transfer market to add strength and depth to a problem position. Here are seven possible center back targets for the Reds. Micky van de VenMicky van de Ven could add to a growing Dutch contingent. | Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesDespite Tottenham Hotspur ultimately avoiding shock relegation to England’s second tier, an exodus of talent remains a possibility this summer following a disastrous season. Micky van de Ven is one of those who could be tempted to depart in a bid to further his career and play Champions League soccer next season. Liverpool are among the clubs who will be interested in the Dutchman as they seek reinforcements, Van de Ven’s scorching speed, physicality, age and left-footedness making him an ideal target. Away from Spurs, the 25-year-old should have the opportunity to operate at a more consistent level.Van de Ven is unlikely to come cheap, but he boasts the athleticism and, crucially for Liverpool, the proven Premier League experience required to instantly improve a struggling backline. Luka VuskovicLuka Vušković has blossomed in Germany. | Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi/Getty ImagesLiverpool already have two rising stars at center back, but the opportunity to sign Luka Vušković could prove too encouraging to ignore. The Tottenham defender was on loan at Hamburg for the 2025–26 campaign and was absolutely instrumental to their Bundesliga survival, playing 28 matches, scoring six goals and winning Rookie of the Month on four separate occasions. Considered one of the world’s most promising up-and-comers at just 19 years old, Vušković has earned renown for his composure, physicality and aerial prowess, alongside a burgeoning reputation as a goalscoring presence when attacking set pieces. An astonishing scorpion kick back in December, which won the Bundesliga Goal of the Month, underscored his technical class.Again, Tottenham’s precarious position could motivate Vušković to find a new home, and Liverpool would not be alone in targeting the Croatia international. However, he will prove an expensive addition, with the Reds perhaps seeking a more experienced profile this summer. Jan Paul van HeckeAnother Dutchman who could strengthen Liverpool. | Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesEven if Liverpool ignore Van de Ven, they could welcome another new member to a growing Dutch contingent on Merseyside. Jan Paul van Hecke is a fully-fledged Netherlands international having flourished at Brighton & Hove Albion over the past three seasons, where his reputation as a ball-playing center back has grown. Van Hecke’s technical craft certainly allows him to transfer his skills to one of Europe’s elite, but the 25-year-old also deserves recognition for his accomplished defensive performances. Only the Premier League’s top two conceded fewer than Brighton in 2025–26, and that is in no small part down to Van Hecke. A towering frame makes him an undeniable set-piece threat, too, with six goal involvements in the Premier League alone last term. The Dutch defender ticks plenty of boxes for the Reds. Castello LukebaOne of the world’s most promising defenders. | ANP/Getty ImagesLiverpool have regularly raided the Bundesliga in recent transfer windows and could return to Germany for their next center back addition. Following on from moves for Konaté and Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds could pick up the phone to RB Leipzig and thrash out a deal for star in the making Castello Lukeba. The left-footed 23-year-old is naturally attracting interest from European behemoths following another stellar season in the Bundesliga. A productive year brought 26 appearances for Lukeba, whose game time has been affected by Leipzig’s absence from European competition. Lukeba is lightning quick when tracking explosive strikers running in behind, while his strength and, most notably, passing accuracy make him the complete package. With potential to hit an even loftier ceiling, Liverpool will be encouraged by reports of the France international seeking a Leipzig exit. António SilvaAntónio Silva could come for cheap. | Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesAntónio Silva is another star who has emerged from the Benfica wonderkid factory, and this summer might be the moment when the 20-cap Portugal international finally earns his move to one of Europe’s top five leagues. With his contract expiring in 2027 and a renewal looking unlikely, Benfica are reportedly willing to sanction a cut-price exit. The 22-year-old could be an astute buy at a lower price point, with 181 appearances for Benfica already under his belt. Silva has played plenty in the Champions League, too, garnering attention for his composure and positional intelligence at a relatively young age.Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with Silva previously, meaning competition for his signature could prove fierce this summer, but Liverpool would offer an appealing destination for the youngster—who would earn plenty of minutes at Anfield.Joel OrdóñezJoel Ordóñez has huge potential. | KURT DESPLENTER/BELGA MAG/AFP/Getty ImagesJoel Ordóñez has followed in the footsteps of Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, rising from the Independiente del Valle academy in Ecuador to make a name for himself in Europe. The 22-year-old has been impressing with Club Brugge for the past three seasons, recently making his 125th appearance for the Belgian side. Ordóñez has been occasionally tipped with a Liverpool move over recent years, the Ecuadorian certainly not lacking the potential to eventually make a name for himself at one of the world’s dominant sides. Perhaps the biggest hurdle to any such move is a lack of experience at an elite level. However, Ordóñez’s composure in possession makes him an attractive proposition, and his bravery on the ball ensures he’s suited to the intensity of Premier League football. He would also provide a more cost-effective alternative to other Liverpool targets. Konstantinos KoulierakisKonstantinos Koulierakis has stood out in Germany, | Getty/Dean MouhtaropoulosNow is the moment in time when the vultures start circling relegated clubs, eager to pick them apart with low-ball offers and cut-price signings. Wolfsburg’s surprise demotion to Germany’s second tier presents such an opportunity for Liverpool. Despite a dreadful season for Wolfsburg, the reputation of 22-year-old center back Konstantinos Koulierakis remains unharmed. Tentatively linked with the Reds preciously, his name could re-emerge as a viable target amid the club’s center back conundrum. Koulierakis joined the former Bundesliga side from PAOK in his native Greece in 2024 and has since become a regular in the heart of defense. The Germans have been relegated in spite of his performances, which have remained assured during a traumatic period.Another left-footer with enormous potential, now could be the perfect time for Liverpool to take the plunge on Koulierakis. READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FCAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow