Jurgen Klopp previews Nottingham Forest clash
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he is worried about Luis Diaz’s father after the winger’s parents were kidnapped in Colombia. Diaz’s mother has been found but his father remains missing after the pair were taken hostage by gunmen on motorbikes in Barrancas.
Cilenis Marulanda, Diaz’s mother, was rescued by police, Colombian president Gustavo Petro has announced. However, Colombian army resources have been deployed in search of the 27-year-old’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz.
Diaz was due to play for Liverpool in their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Manager Klopp revealed that he had to be pulled from the squad after learning overnight of the player’s situation.
Liverpool said in a statement on Sunday morning that the player’s welfare is paramount. Meanwhile, Klopp has expressed ‘worry’ over Diaz’s circumstance.
“We had to obviously make a late change because of the private situation involving Luis Diaz,” Klopp explained to the BBC. “It’s a worrying situation for all of us and it was a pretty tough night.
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“I have never had that before. It’s a new experience I never needed.” In a statement on Sunday, Liverpool said: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia.
“It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority.”
President Petro confirmed in a tweet early on Sunday morning that Diaz’s mother had been rescued. “In a padlock operation in Barrancas, Luis Diaz’s mother has been rescued, we continue the search for the father,” he tweeted.
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The Colombian Aattorney General’s office also said in a statement: “From the moment when Colombia’s General Prosecutor’s Office learned of the kidnapping of the parents of Colombian player Luis Diaz in the Barrancas area of La Guajira, a specialist team of prosecutors, CTI officials and investigators from the police and military have been taking urgent action to locate these individuals, clarify the chain of events and identify the culprits.”
Diaz has subsequently been left out of Liverpool’s matchday squad to face Forest. A January 2022 signing from Porto, he has made 58 appearances for the Reds, scoring 14 goals including two this season.
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