In LUTON, England, Luis Diaz, the Colombian forward for Liverpool, was not in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Premier League game against Luton. This was because he was waiting for the promised release of his kidnapped father by guerrillas.
Before the game at Kenilworth Road stadium, Liverpool fans showed their support for Diaz by warmly serenading and applauding him as he warmed up.
Last weekend, the 26-year-old had withdrawn from the game after his mother Cilenis Marulanda and father Luis Manuel Diaz were abducted by armed men in northern Colombia. Fortunately, his mother was freed shortly after being captured, and on Thursday, the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas announced that they would also release his father.
Prior to the match, manager Juergen Klopp shared, “It is still pretty emotional but Luis decided three days ago that he wants to try training again.” He further explained, “All the signs he gets as I understand it are very positive. Negotiations are ongoing but it is still positive so that is why he wanted to be part of the team and he could come on as well… Nobody can imagine how something like that feels. On the training ground he has been fine and that is why he is here.”
(Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Toby Davis)
