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Liverpool FC continue to search for reinforcements at centre-half – but Paris Saint-Germain’s Mamadou Sakho is not on the club’s wanted list.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to bolster his options in the position following the retirement of Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool will today formally complete the free transfer of former Arsenal and Manchester City man Kolo Toure but with doubts persisting over the form and future of Martin Skrtel, the club are keen to add another player to their numbers at the back.

Sakho, a France international, says he has been “flattered” by Liverpool’s apparent interest, but the ECHO understands the club are not targeting the 23-year-old.

Rodgers is also understood to have cooled interest in Swansea City captain Ashley Williams despite the interest earlier in the summer.

Reports continue to link the Reds with a move for the Wales captain, valued at £10m by the Swans, but their focus has moved to other targets.

And Sakho is not among them despite being quoted as saying Liverpool have expressed an interest in securing his services.

“I’ll be able to talk with the new coach and see what he thinks,” Sakho is reported to have said.

“I am flattered by the interest of historic clubs like Liverpool and AC Milan. We will see what happens in the near future.”

Hopes of landing Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos appear to have faded with the two clubs apart in their valuation of the Greek centre-half.

Liverpool do remain in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over the transfer of Tiago Ilori, although they had hoped a deal would have been finalised by now for the Portugal under-20s player.

Toure, meanwhile, has received a ringing endorsement from a former Manchester City team-mate who believes he will prove a hit at Liverpool.

“Kolo will be a great signing. I think it’s an astute signing by Brendan Rodgers because he has got so much experience,” Gareth Barry said.

“He will always give 100 per cent, he will never give up. Kolo will win over the fans straight away.

“Losing Jamie Carragher’s experience from the dressing room will be a huge loss for Liverpool and the fans.

“But Kolo, with his experience and his work-rate, the way he goes about his training, will do a good job of replacing him.”