Luis Diaz travels to Liverpool match as mission to rescue kidnapped dad begins

08 November 2023 , 16:20

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Luis Diaz has trained ahead of Thursday's game (Image: Getty Images)

Luis Diaz is expected to be involved in Liverpool's Europa League game against Toulouse on Thursday after travelling to France.

The 26-year-old forward's father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was kidnapped by left-wing insurgent group the National Liberation Army (ELN) on October 28. The ELN has promised to release him but are yet to do so due a dispute with the Colombian government.

The ELN has accused the government of hindering Luis Manuel's release by maintaining a high military and police presence in the Perija Mountains, where he's thought to be held. Diaz's family have asked the ELN to provide proof Luis Manuel is still alive.

The government has started a "liberation operation". Chief negotiator Otty Patino is hoping Diaz's father will be returned safety within hours. He said: "This is in their hands and we trust it will be soon. There will no doubt be problems, but things are on the right track."

It's claimed the Northern War Front, the ELN unit which has Luis Manuel, has contacted the United Nations and church representatives regarding a release. The next steps involve a humanitarian commission heading to a location for a handover to take place. There has been no comment from the government on how far the "liberation operation" has come.

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But the ELN has released a statement on the matter. "On November 2, we informed the country of the decision to release Mr Luis Manuel Diaz, father of the player Luis Diaz," said the Northern War Front's leader Jose Manuel Martinez Quiroz.

"From that date, we began the process to accomplish this as soon as possible. We are making efforts to avoid incidents with government forces. The area is still militarised, they are carrying out flyovers, disembarking troops, broadcasting and offering rewards as part of an intense search operation.

People in Colombia are campaigning for Luis Manuel Diaz's release (Getty Images)

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"This situation is not allowing for the execution of the release plan quickly and safely, where Mr Luis Manuel Diaz is not at risk. If operations continue in the area, they will delay the release and increase the risks. We understand the anguish of the Diaz Marulanda family, to whom we say that we will keep our word to release him unilaterally, as soon as we have security guarantees for the development of the liberation operation."

Despite the ordeal, Diaz is expected to play against Toulouse in France on Thursday. The Colombia international has trained with his Liverpool team-mates ahead of the Europa League clash and featured in his team's 1-1 draw against Luton last Sunday.

Diaz came off the bench to score a last-gasp equaliser before lifting up his shirt to show the message "LIBERTAD PARA PAPA" - which translates to "freedom for papa". The player was understandably emotional at full-time and was consoled by Luton's Tom Lockyer.

Diaz has travelled to France for Thursday's game (Getty Images)

Alisson was asked about Diaz's willingness to play after the Luton game. He said: "It says a lot about his character and inner strength. I can't imagine what he's going through."

Jurgen Klopp described Diaz's goal as a "wonderful moment" but added: "Most important thing is that his father gets released. It is wonderful he wanted to be here. That's it, for us a super important goal and for him very important and yes very emotional, but that's it."

Diaz's uncle Gabi spoke to reporters in Colombia about Luis Manuel. He said: "What we would most like is to have that proof by seeing him and knowing what situation our brother, our relative, our papa, our son is in, because my father is here and wants to see his son."

Liverpool have no new injury concerns (Getty Images)

The situation has been described as "very serious" by Colombia's interior minister Luis Fernando Velasco. Diaz's cousin, Luis Alfonso Diaz, added: "We are asking the ELN to send us proof of how Luis Manuel is now so we can have some peace of mind."

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Diaz has also pleaded with the ELN. He said: "Every second, every minute our anxiety grows. My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, anxious and have no words to describe what we are feeling. This suffering will only end when we have him home with us."

Having Diaz available for selection would be a huge boost for Liverpool. The Reds are top of their Europa League group after winning their first three games but must stay there to automatically qualify for the last 16. They will enter a play-off if they slip to second.

Liverpool don't have any new serious injury concerns, but Virgil van Dijk, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch have all missed the trip to Toulouse despite Van Dijk being spotted in training on Wednesday. Thiago Alcantara (hip), Andy Robertson (shoulder) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) will also miss Thursday's game due to injury.

Alexis Mac Allister has received a one-match domestic ban for picking up five yellow cards but is available to play in Europe.

Liverpool squad for Toulouse: Alisson, Gomez, Endo, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Chambers, Scanlon, Doak, McConnell, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Mrozek.

Natalia Penza