29 October 2023 , 13:02
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Luis Diaz was not included in the Liverpool squad for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest following his parents' shock kidnapping.
The Reds star's mother, Cilenis Marulanda, and his, father Luis Manuel Diaz, were taken in a terrifying ordeal on Saturday evening near their home in the town of Barrancas in Colombia's Caribbean region. The nation's president Gustavo Petro has confirmed that Marulanda has since been rescued.
There remain questions over the whereabouts of Diaz's father however. Diaz has spoken with security forces who have been looking to locate his father. Amid the ongoing situation, the Reds have understandably made the decision to leave the winger out of the side when Jurgen Klopp's side welcomed Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
A statement from Liverpool earlier in the day had read: "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."
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Diaz’s national side have also offered their support to the 26-year-old. A statement read: "The Colombian Football Federation regrets the security situation that the parents of our player Luis Diaz are going through. From the FCF we express our solidarity with him and his entire family and we call for the relevant authorities to act as quickly as possible to resolve the situation."
Luis Diaz with his mother and fatherDiaz had previously played in every Premier League game for the Reds this term, only failing to start one of those. He has two league goals to his name so far.
The former Porto star has been replaced by Darwin Nunez in Liverpool's starting line-up for the clash against Forest. Aside from Diaz, Klopp left the rest of his side unchanged, with Mo Salah and Diogo Jota either side of the Uruguayan striker.
Following their showdown with Steve Cooper's side, Liverpool are next back in action in midweek for a Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth ahead of next weekend's trip to newly-promoted Luton Town.