Richard Hughes puts four names on his centre-back shortlist | OneFootball

Liverpool are in the midst of a centre-back shakeup.

Ibrahima Konate will be leaving when his contract officially expires on June 30. And with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez only under contract for another year beyond that there is a glaring need to add experience and quality.

Richard Hughes has taken steps to overhaul the centre of defence over the past few transfer windows. Giovanni Leoni, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Jeremy Jacquet are among the young defenders acquired by the outgoing Premier League champions.

But without Konate there is a risk of an experience gap opening up in the heart of the backline. And a report in Caught Offside is now claiming that Richard Hughes has whittled his shortlist of potential centre-back signings down to four names.

Inacio tops Liverpool wishlist

“One of the names still strongly linked is Gonçalo Inácio,” the report reads.

“The Reds have also been linked with Sam Beukema, who appears to be part of a wider shortlist rather than the clear priority.

“Another interesting case is Luka Vušković. No official move has been made, but Liverpool are monitoring his situation closely.

“There is also growing attention around Murillo, with Liverpool said to have intensified scouting work on the Nottingham Forest defender.”

Liverpool also looking at Beukema, Vuskovic and Murillo

Inacio, 24, has spent his entire career thus far at Sporting CP but the Portugal international could be finally set to move on this summer despite a contract until 2030.

Beukema joined Napoli from Bologna last year on a contract until 2030 but the deal so far hasn’t worked out for the 27-year-old Dutch international - who was also wanted by previous Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.

Their interest in Vuskovic, 19, meanwhile has emerged over the course of 2026 with Roberto De Zerbi not prioritising keeping the young Croatian at Tottenham long-term following his loan spell at Hamburg.

He is under contract until 2030 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but Spurs are expected to sign other centre-backs this summer instead.

Murillo is a familiar name and could leave Nottingham Forest this summer for pastures new. The 23-year-old joined the Tricky Trees from Corinthians in 2023 and is under contract until 2030.