Kolo Toure unlikely to be Liverpool's last defensive signing

Liverpool announced that Manchester City centre-back Kolo Toure will be signing for the club on a free transfer once his contract has expired at the Etihad Stadium.

But the veteran defender is unlikely to be the only defensive signing of the summer for the club as Brendan Rodgers looks to restructure the Reds back-line.

Schalke’s Kyriakos Papadopoulos is Rodgers main defensive target for the summer, with the Greek defender highly expected to make the move to Anfield for a fee of around £15 million.

Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Llori is also reported to be a potential signing for the Merseyside club, with the Portuguese club, despite being desperate to keep hold of the player, in need of funds.

Liverpool’s focus on central defenders in the summer transfer window comes after the retirement of Jamie Carragher, who played a crucial role in the first-team in the latter half of last season.

The signing of Toure is seen by Rodgers as a good way to inject some experience into the Reds defense in the absence of Carragher.

The move for Papadopoulos, and potentially Llori, comes as the future of both Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates are still uncertain.

Skrtel has revealed his frustration at a lack of first-team football last season, having been muscled out of the squad by Carragher, and, whilst stating he is happy at Anfield, has admitted he will listen to offers.

Meanwhile Coates, who signed in the summer of 2011, has seen his chances limited at Anfield this season and may be allowed to leave the club if the right offer is made.