It was announced last week, on the Friday before Liverpool took on Luton, that Luis Diaz would be available for selection, following the ongoing situation involving his father’s kidnapping.
This decision proved to be of extreme importance for the Merseyside club, as the Colombian salvaged a point for Liverpool in the 95th minute of play, after coming on as a substitute.
The 26-year-old forward’s father was kidnapped by left-wing insurgent group the National Liberation Army (ELN) on October 28.
Following his goal, he lifted his shirt up and revealed a message reading “Libertad para papa,” meaning: “Freedom for Dad.”
Jürgen Klopp described Diaz’s goal as a ‘wonderful moment’, and gave his thoughts on the situation.
“The most important thing is that his father gets released,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Toulouse.
“That’s it, for us a super important goal and for him very important and yes very emotional, but that’s it.”
Luis Diaz on the way to Toulouse. pic.twitter.com/MRRFIn3f8j
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) November 8, 2023
“He decided last week he cannot go to Colombia and that will not be the case at the moment, so he is here.
“It is a safe place, when he is around the matches it is a safe place with the team, everything is OK.
“He wants to be with us, he travelled, he is here, he is available.”
The Reds are hoping to emphatically top their Europa League group, and in doing so avoid an extra round of 32 clash, therefore having Diaz as an option is vital for Klopp’s plans.
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