Liverpool may be forced to look elsewhere to identify a new centre back after the agent of Schalke's Kyriakos Papadopoulos made it clear the Greek defender would not be leaving the club this summer.

The 21 year old has been heavily linked with a possible move to Liverpool in the last few weeks as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his back line after the retirement of Jamie Carragher.

Kolo Toure has already been signed on a free transfer but it is believed that Rodgers still wants to sign a younger defender who can immediately challenge Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger for a place in the first team.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos
Kyriakos Papadopoulos' agent has stated the defender has no intention of leaving Schalke this summer. [Reuters]

Papadopoulous has impressed for Schalke, despite missing the second half of the season though injury, and has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best defensive talents in Germany.

He has quickly established himself as an integral part of the Greece first team and it seemed as though Liverpool were keen to lure him to Anfield.

However, his agent Paul Koutsoliakos has made it clear that the youngster is concentrating solely on life at Schlake and has no intention of leaving the club this summer.

"I can tell you we have no interest in a transfer away from Schalke at this point in time," his agent told Bild, as reported on Sky Sports. "Kyriakos is happy being at this club.

"Kyriakos is fully focused on being fit when Schalke start pre-season training in the next few months. He looks likely to be ready for it."

Should Papadopoulous decide that he wants to remain with the Bundesliga side then Liverpool may have to turn their attention elsewhere.

The Reds had been strongly linked with Swansea centre back Ashley Williams and Rodgers may well decide to renew his interest in a player he knows well from his time at the Welsh club.

Swansea would certainly not want to lose their captain but manager Michael Laudrup did admit that they may be forced to lose one of their star players.

Asked about the future of Williams, Laudrup said: "There has been a lot of talk and let's see what happens. He extended his contract not so long ago, like I did. Maybe we have to accept one player will go, but not any more."