Luis Diaz sent message by Liverpool coach as images of search for father emerge

31 October 2023 , 16:55

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Luis Diaz's mother has been rescued but the search for his father is ongoing

Luis Diaz has received some comforting words from Liverpool's assistant coach Pep Lijnders as the search for his kidnapped father continues in Colombia.

The latest reports from the winger's home country claim that Colombian authorities have been searching a cloud forest in a bid to track down Luis Manuel Diaz. Both of Diaz's parents were taken near their home in Barrancas over the weekend as they stopped to fill their car with petrol.

His mother, Cilenis Marulanda, has since been rescued and is safe. However, The operation to find the player's father is now involving Colombia ’s elite Jungle Commandos, a military special forces unit whose members have received training from the US and the UK’s Special Air Service. The area they are focusing on is believed to be the Perija Mountains, on the Colombia-Venezuela border.

Amidst all of this, Diaz remains in Merseyside anxiously awaiting an update. Liverpool have been public in their support for the former Porto sensation, with the club first releasing a statement on Sunday morning that 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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Since then, speaking ahead of the Reds' Carabao Cup tie away at Bournemouth on Wednesday night, assistant boss Lijnders has also addressed the situation. "We try to support him now as much as we can – lot of things out of our hands," said the Dutchman.

"I think and I feel that it’s only for Liverpool Football Club that the players know we’re doing the right thing. It’s not for me to say what we’re doing for Luis Diaz.

Luis Manuel Diaz has been missing since Saturday after being kidnapped

The extensive search for Luis Diaz's father continues

"As long as he knows that we’re doing all the right things and we pray. The whole club is behind him. He has that feeling then, for me, it’s right.

"The authorities are doing everything. Everything we hear is that they’re trying everything, that’s the most important thing that his family are OK."

Liverpool have already contested one game since news of the kidnapping broke, as they ran out 3-0 winners against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Sunday. Klopp spoke candidly about how the news has impacted the club after the game, in which Diaz was left out of the squad for compassionate reasons.

The Jungle Commandos search from the skies

Luis Diaz's mother was returned safely but Colombian authorities have ramped up the search for his father

"We played in the most difficult circumstance I've ever had. It was a really difficult day, which ended with a good result," Klopp claimed.

"The best thing we could do for our brother was that we win the game and distract him a little bit maybe, all the rest was super special in the most negative understanding. After more than 1,000 games you would think you have experienced everything, but no.

"But it's not about us, it's about 'Lucho' and his family, and we all pray and hope that everything will be fine. What we can do, we will do, we've done already in the club and the only thing we could do today was fight for their brother - and that's what they did."

Josh O'Brien