Diogo Jota’s emotional Luis Diaz celebration after scoring for Liverpool Love 

Diogo Jota’s emotional Luis Diaz celebration after scoring for Liverpool Love

Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Liverpool and celebrated by paying tribute to Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped in Colombia

SHARE
BySean BradburySport Content Editor
Bookmark

Diogo Jota shows off a shirt with the name of Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz (Image: IAN HODGSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Diogo Jota marked Liverpool opening the scoring against Nottingham Forest with a special celebration in support of Luis Diaz.

The parents of the Colombian forward were kidnapped on Saturday evening, with his mother now safe but authorities in the South American country still searching for his father.

And after putting his side 1-0 up in the first half at Anfield this afternoon, Jota raced to the touchline and lifted a Diaz no.7 shirt up, to applause from the crowd.

Despite initial reports on Sunday morning that Luis Manuel Diaz had since been rescued alongside the Liverpool player’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, it is believed the Reds winger’s father is still being held hostage.

READ MORE: Klopp speaks on Diaz situation as police continue to work on release of father

READ MORE: Score and goal updates from Liverpool vs Forest in the Premier League

Diogo Jota holds up a Luis Diaz shirt as team-mates applaud
Jurgen Klopp told BBC Sport ahead of today’s match: “We had to obviously make a late change because of the private situation involving Luis Diaz.

“It’s a worrying situation for all of us and it was a pretty tough night. I have never had that before. It’s a new experience I never needed.”

Liverpool say they will continue to support their winger through the ordeal as they await further information. A club statement 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.”

The director of Colombia’s National Police, General William Salamanca, was quoted as saying: “We already have the mother, she is in good health, scared, but she is fine. They took the father away on a motorcycle, they took him out of the car and took him along the trails there. We are committed to carrying out checkpoints and identifying people on motorcycles.”

Follow Liverpool Echo
Facebook
Twitter
Comment
MORE ON
Diogo JotaLiverpool FCLuis Diaz
SPORT
ALL
TOP STORIES
Jurgen Klopp speaks on Luis Diaz situation as Colombian police continue to work on release of father
LIVERPOOL FC
‘Appalling’ figures show people haven’t paid £15m in council tax
WIRRAL COUNCIL
I tried a ‘Mexican Sunday roast’ at Madre and felt deeply embarrassed
LIVERPOOL RESTAURANTS
Courts seize mountain bike from Connor Chapman ally who was shot in gangland feud
COURTS
‘Disgraceful’ thug who almost beat girlfriend to death jailed ‘to protect future partners’
WARRINGTON
Mum ‘crying out’ for families to help ‘make a difference’
WIRRAL
Praise for ‘outstanding’ Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
MERSEYSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Council moves forward with £9m refurb of new offices
BIRKENHEAD
Liverpool FC release statement after Luis Diaz parents kidnapped in Colombia
LIVERPOOL FC
Everything heard in court during fourth week of Ashley Dale murder trial
ASHLEY DALE
Live-event
Liverpool transfer news LIVE – Andre latest, Victor Osimhen speaks out, Nottingham Forest build-up
LIVERPOOL FC
Everton news and transfers LIVE – Abdoulaye Doucoure future, Francis Okoronkwo contract, West Ham build-up
EVERTON FC
NEWS
WHAT’S ON
SPORT
IN YOUR AREA
LIVERPOOL FC
EVERTON FC
CELEBS
BUSINESS
FOLLOW US
InYourArea
MemoryLane
Discount Codes
Beauty Box Subscription
Marketplace
Our RSS feeds
Contact Us
About Us
Work for us
Advertise with us
Public Notices
Mirror Bingo
Buy a photo
How to Complain
Corrections & Clarifications
Reader Panel
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Notice
Cookie Notice
Newsletters Signup
Syndication & Licensing
Do not sell or share my data
© 2023 a Reach plc subsidiary

11°C
logo_poppy
NEWS
ROYAL
CELEBRITY NEWS
TV & RADIO
SPORT
FINANCE
LIFE & STYLE
ENTERTAINMENT
COMMENT
SportFootball
logo_poppy
UK
US
NEWS
UK
Politics
Royal
US
World
Science
Weather
Weird
History
Nature
Sunday
InYourArea
Clarifications and Corrections
SHOWBIZ & TV
TV & Radio
Celebrity News
SPORT
Football
Tennis
Transfer news
F1
Boxing
UFC
Cricket
Rugby
Other
Golf
NFL
Racing
NBA
COMMENT
Express Comment
Columnists
FINANCE
City & Business
Personal Finance
The Crusader
TRAVEL
Travel News
UK
Europe
America
Africa
Asia
Cruise
City breaks
Beach Holidays
ENTERTAINMENT
Films
Gaming
Music
Books
Theatre
Express Wins
LIFE & STYLE
Style
Diets
Health
Garden
Tech
Property
Life
Cars
Food

Search…
Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on SnapchatCheck our YouTube channel
LOGIN / REGISTER
BOOKMARKS
NEWSLETTERS
DISCOUNT CODES
FUNERAL NOTICES
PUZZLES
HOROSCOPES
EXPRESS RATED
SHOP
OUR PAPER
slide 36 to 42 of 20
BournemouthBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLiverpoolLuton TownManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSheffield UnitedTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersArsenalAston VillaBournemouthBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLiverpoolLuton TownManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSheffield UnitedTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersArsenalAston VillaBournemouthBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLiverpoolLuton TownManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSheffield UnitedTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersArsenalAston VillaBournemouthBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLiverpoolLuton TownManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSheffield UnitedTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersArsenalAston VillaBournemouthBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLiverpoolLuton TownManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSheffield UnitedTottenham Hotspur
Jurgen Klopp ‘worried’ for Luis Diaz with Liverpool star’s kidnapped dad still missing
Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father remains missing in Colombia.
By SAM SMITH
13:48, Sun, Oct 29, 2023 | UPDATED: 14:08, Sun, Oct 29, 2023
0
Liverpool FC Training Session And Press Conference – UEFA Europa League 2023/24

Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father remains missing in Colombia (Image: Getty)
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.

“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.

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 Díaz 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.

Experience the Express like never before
Advert-free experience without interruptions.
Rocket-fast speedy loading pages.
Exclusive & Unlimited access to all our content.
logo
Start 30-day
FREE trial
Jurgen KloppLiverpool FC
Most read in Football
Man Utd news Erik ten Hag Jamie Carragher Liverpool
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag calls out Jamie Carragher as Liverpool hero accused of lying
liverpool luis diaz parents kidnapped nottingham forest
Liverpool issue statement as Luis Diaz’s parents kidnapped ahead of Nottingham Forest tie
Man Utd news Man City Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester derby comment
Man Utd 1-6 Man City: Where Fergie’s fallen heroes are now 12 years after derby thrashing
Chelsea news Jadon Sancho Guardiola Pochettino Palmer exclusive
Chelsea have Jadon Sancho and Guardiola to thank for Pochettino’s newest star – EXCLUSIVE
arsenal news mikel arteta david raya marc guehi
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to splash ‘huge transfer fee’ on another David Raya
Harry Kane Jude Bellingham Man Utd Chelsea Arsenal
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham set benchmark for six Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal stars
Luis Diaz Liverpool parents kidnapping mum dad
Luis Diaz mum rescued but father still missing after Liverpool star’s parents kidnapped
Tottenham Daniel Levy Real Madrid football news
Tottenham’s Daniel Levy has plan ‘to usurp Real Madrid’ for red-hot 15-goal striker
Chelsea news Mesut Ozil Brentford Cole Palmer
Chelsea have their ‘own Mesut Ozil’ despite Brentford defeat piling on the misery
man utd news erling haaland odion ighalo edinson cavani
The two strikers Man Utd signed instead of Erling Haaland and where they are now
Man Utd Newcastle Toni Kroos Real Madrid
Man Utd and Newcastle ‘offered Toni Kroos for free’ as Real Madrid star keen on a move
Latest videos
deaf sports bsl sign language football james vickery choir
Almost half of deaf Brits would feel happier – if more hearing people learned BSL
coronavirus covid pirola symptoms diarrhoea
Symptom you might spot when going to the toilet that could signal Covid
Tyson Fury Francis Ngannou punch stats boxing news
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou punch stats tell true story of fight after angry reaction
bbc strictly come dancing giovanni pernice parents break silence amanda abbington quit
BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans share concern for Giovanni Pernice as his parents speak out
car park ban rules changes
Angry drivers push for dozens of vehicles to be banned from car parks
HOROSCOPESAPPSWEATHERPAPER
HOME
NEWS
UK
POLITICS
ROYAL
US
WORLD
SCIENCE
WEATHER
WEIRD
HISTORY
NATURE
SUNDAY
OBITUARIES
LATEST NEWS
SHOWBIZ & TV
TV & RADIO
CELEBRITY NEWS
SPORT
FOOTBALL
TENNIS
TRANSFER NEWS
F1
BOXING
UFC
CRICKET
RUGBY
GOLF
NFL
RACING
NBA
COMMENT
EXPRESS COMMENT
COLUMNISTS
FINANCE
CITY & BUSINESS
PERSONAL FINANCE
THE CRUSADER
TRAVEL
TRAVEL NEWS
UK
EUROPE
AMERICA
AFRICA
ASIA
CRUISE
CITY BREAKS
BEACH HOLIDAYS
EXPRESS RATED
ENTERTAINMENT
FILMS
GAMING
MUSIC
BOOKS
THEATRE
EXPRESS WINS
LIFE & STYLE
STYLE
DIETS
HEALTH
GARDEN
TECH
PROPERTY
LIFE
CARS
FOOD
todays-paper
TODAY’S PAPER

Sunday, 29th October 2023
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.

CONNECT WITH US

Find us on FacebookFind us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on InstagramFollow us on SnapchatFollow us on SnapchatCheck our YouTube channelCheck our YouTube channelSubscribe to our rss feedSubscribe to our rss feed
Play Express WinsAppsHoroscopesPuzzlesShopDiscount codesPartner StoriesHopsmore Beer ClubBeauty Box SubscriptionPaperSitemapSite ArchiveAbout UsSocial MediaJournalistsHow to ComplainReport A Tech IssueAdvertisingAffiliate advertisingCookie PolicyCookies SettingsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyCommunity StandardsSyndication and LicensingClarifications and CorrectionsDeveloped by Netro42InYourArea
IPSO RegulatedCopyright ©2023 Express Newspapers. “Daily Express” is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

dailystarLoad mobile navigation

Luis Diaz misses Liverpool’s match vs Nottingham Forest after parents’ kidnap ordeal
The Liverpool star is not featured in Liverpool’s squad as they take on Nottingham Forest at Anfield due to the kidnapping ordeal of his parents in Colombia

SHARE
ByFasika ZelealemUS Sports Reporter
Bookmark
Liverpool midfielder Luis Diaz poses for a photo with his parents
Luis Diaz with his parents who were both kidnapped in Colombia (Image: Luis Diaz Instagram)

Luis Diaz will miss Liverpool’s match vs Nottingham Forest following the kidnap ordeal of his parents.

Luis Manuel Diaz after Cilenis Marulanda were both kidnapped on October 29 in Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia. The Liverpool forward’s mother was recently freed after a police and army blockade managed to find the kidnappers.

The search had continued to find Diaz Sr, who was not with Marulanda when she was freed. General William Salamanca who is the Director General of the Colombian Police Force was seen on social media calling the Liverpool star to inform him of their efforts to rescue his father.

READ MORE:Liverpool star who quit Reds because of Jurgen Klopp is now a manager

READ MORE:Luis Diaz’s kidnapped dad ‘rescued after shootout that left two dead’ with mum also safe

However, recent reports understand Diaz’s father has been found after a huge shootout took place that left two people dead. Local reports from the La Guajira region understand Diaz Sr was freed after a police rescue mission resulted in the deaths of two of the four kidnappers. It’s believed the kidnappers were on their way to Colombia’s border with Venezuela, where they may have been intending on smuggling him into the country.

PROMOTED STORIES
The horrendous ordeal means that the 26-year-old will not take the field for Liverpool in their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest today (October 29) as he’s been left out of the squad with Diogo Jota taking his place in the starting lineup.

Diaz is not in the squad in Liverpool’s clash against Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The player’s parents were believed to be snatched when the unidentified armed motorcyclists managed to track down the truck both were inside, before intercepting and boarding it, moments before they were taken away. When a police blockade helped find Marulanda, General Salamanca said: “We are pleased that you are free again, madam,” he said. “I congratulate them [the authorities] for the reaction of all the police officers dedicated to the cause.”

When news of the kidnapping first emerged, Liverpool released a statement in the early hours of the 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.” Liverpool will now be without one of their most important players in their battle against a 15th-placed Nottingham Forest where a win for the Reds would see them leapfrog Manchester City into third place, just three points off leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Follow Daily Star
Facebook
Twitter
Comment
MORE ON
Liverpool FCPremier League
SPORT
ALL
TOP STORIES
THE ONE WHERE WE SAY GOODBYE: Matthew Perry’s final sighting in public just days before tragic hot tub death
FRIENDS
BREAKING Tyson Fury’s undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk on December 23 is off
BOXING
Heidi Klum, 50, strips completely naked as she unveils ageless curves in jaw-dropping snaps
HEIDI KLUM
BBC Strictly Come Dancing axed contestant leaked as viewers say ‘it’s about time’
STRICTLY COME DANCING
Nottingham Panthers ice hockey star, 29, dies after ‘skate blade cuts his throat’
BREAKING NEWS
‘Monstrous’ rapist cop David Carrick beaten ‘black and blue’ by lags in prison ambush
PRISON NEWS
Bigfoot hunter saw 7ft beast in front of him before ‘worst thing possible happened’
BIGFOOT
Wrexham-loving glamour model toasts Notts County win after sexy lingerie post
WREXHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
Halloween revellers gunned down and left blood-soaked with ‘multiple dead’
CRIME
Teen girl digs up killer’s grave after dreaming he was buried alive and begging for help
CRIME
‘Time traveller’ predicts aliens landing and ‘super nation’ – while passing lie test
TIME TRAVEL
Matthew Perry ‘was in love’ with Friends co-star Courteney Cox and ‘never got over her’
FRIENDS
NEWS
SPORT
SHOWBIZ
TV
TECH
IN YOUR AREA
LIFE & STYLE
TRAVEL
PICS
FOLLOW US
Contact Us
About Us
Work for us
Discount Codes
Crosswords
Play Star Wins
MemoryLane
Beauty Box Subscription
Community Standards
Competition Rules
Cookie Notice
Corrections and Clarifications
How to Complain
Our Brands
Privacy Notice
RSS feeds
Terms and Conditions
Newsletter Signup
Syndication & Licensing
Subscribe to Daily Star and Daily Star On Sunday newspapers
Subscribe to tablet edition
Do not sell or share my data
© 2023 a Reach plc subsidiary