Liverpool Q&A LIVE: Are Jurgen Klopp’s side genuine title challengers this season, will Luis Diaz play against Bournemouth and more addressed by Lewis Steele

LEWIS STEELE: I doubt they will do much business in January other than a potential play for Andre. Liverpool want a centre back but this is almost certainly one for the summer unless Virgil Van Dijk suffers a long-term injury, for example.

Joel Matip and Ibou Konate have barely put a foot wrong, while the rise of young Jarell Quansah has been one of the stories of the season at Anfield. He is top quality and it would be a shame if his development was halted by moving further down the pecking order to make way for a new defender. Otherwise, Liverpool have a well-balanced squad.

LEWIS STEELE: It is worth noting that Newcastle have also been linked with Andre and their financial muscle – plus the fact Sandro Tonali is on a lengthy ban – could work in their favour. But at this moment Liverpool are the front-runners.

LEWIS STEELE: Liverpool are the front-runners to sign Andre and they will revisit this one in the coming months. Sources in Brazil have suggested Liverpool will fancy their chances of landing Andre, so this is definitely one to watch.

CEO Billy Hogan contacted his club Fluminese in the summer over a transfer but were sent packing, with the Brazilians playing in the Copa Libertadores.

The final of that competition is over the weekend and will be on BBC iPlayer if any Liverpool fans fancy a scouting mission!

The Reds have had to rely on Alexis Mac Allister in the No 6 role this season and, while he has improved a lot in that position, the Argentinian was surely signed with the vision to play him next to Dominik Szoboszlai a bit further forward. Wataru Endo was brought in as cover for the defensive midfield role and I thought he had his best game in a Liverpool shirt against Toulouse last week. But they certainly need cover in there and Andre would be a canny signing.

LEWIS STEELE: Winning this competition can create a winning environment – I only say ‘can’ because it didn’t work at Manchester United last season – and Jurgen Klopp should be fancying Liverpool’s chances.

One of Manchester United or Newcastle will fall tonight, while Arsenal also have a tricky away tie. Manchester City are out. That means if Liverpool win tonight, the draw could open up and they could become favourites to win the competition.

They’ve got a good strength in depth so I think they can flourish without risking too many big-name stars for 90 minutes, too. Overall, this is a big chance to bring silverware back to Merseyside after a poor year last season.

LEWIS STEELE: I think he will pick a semi-strong team. Perhaps not full strength but I can’t see him making 11 changes. They have three days off in between this game and Sunday’s trip to Luton so that’s enough time for recovery and match preparation.

I’d imagine Cody Gakpo will start after a couple of substitute appearances as he ramps up his recovery from injury.

Fringe players such as Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez and Harvey Elliott will also be hoping for starts. There might also be minutes for left-back Luke Chambers, who made his full debut in the Europa League last week.

Mo Salah will like to feature, too, as he hates sitting on the bench, so he will likely play either from the start or off the bench.

LEWIS STEELE: No and I would not like to speculate on this. But the player has the full backing of all at the football club to take as long off as he needs. Let’s hope for some good news.

It’s still unclear whether the player will travel back to Colombia or not.

LEWIS STEELE: This is a huge story in Colombia, with the father of the country’s best footballer still missing. Thousands have marched on the streets to campaign for the release of Mr Diaz.

A reward of £40,000 has been offered for those who can offer information that leads to finding the man. People wore white and lit candles for hope in the search for Diaz, with his wife – Luis’s mother – present on the march.

The player will not travel to Bournemouth for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie tonight as he is still on leave, of course.

Local reports have said 230 elite police and army commandos are now part of the search, which also includes a Black Hawk helicopter and the use of an airplane with heat-detection sensors. There were suggestions that he could have been taken to bordering Venezuela, but government officials have said no evidence has led them to think this is the case. But the police director did say this is likely an organised crime. It’s a horrible situation for all involved.

Here’s the latest on the shocking kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s parents at the weekend.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our Q+A on all things Liverpool.

Lewis Steele will be joining us at 3pm so do send in your questions. No topic is off limits…