Luis Diaz made an emotional appeal for the safe release of his father in Colombia.
The Liverpool winger, who scored a late equalizer at Luton, posted on social media on Sunday evening: ‘This is not Luis Diaz, the player speaking. Today I am the son of Luis Manuel Diaz. My father, a hardworking family man.
‘I ask the ELN for the early release of my father, and I ask international organizations to work together for his freedom.
‘Every second, every minute our fear grows. My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, sad and have no words to describe what we feel. This suffering will only end when we get him back home.
“I beg you to release him immediately, respect his integrity and end this painful wait as soon as possible.
Luis Diaz unveiled a T-shirt reading ‘freedom for daddy’ after scoring in his first game for Liverpool since his parents’ kidnapping
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hugs Diaz before coming on as a substitute on Sunday
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‘In the name of love and compassion, we ask that you reconsider your actions and allow us to find him.
“I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many shows of affection and solidarity in this difficult time in which many families in my country are living.”
Diaz’s father has been held in his home country for over a week by a guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).
His manager Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to him after he came off the bench to score, unveiling a T-shirt reading ‘freedom for daddy’ in his first match since his parents’ kidnapping.
In his first appearance since the kidnapping of his parents last weekend in his home country of Colombia, Diaz scored in the 95th minute to earn Liverpool a point.
Diaz’s mother Cilenis Marulanda was released on the same night his parents were snatched from the streets, although his father Luis Manuel Diaz has yet to be released – the “real problem”, Klopp reminded, which has not yet been resolved despite “positive, optimistic” signals .
Diaz unveiled a t-shirt with the message ‘freedom for dad’ after scoring, as he was embraced by Luton captain Tom Lockyer and Klopp at full-time.
Diaz’s (left) father Luis Manuel (right) has yet to be released by left-wing rebel group ELN – but the guerrilla group’s head is reported to have said they made a ‘mistake’ by detaining the father
Klopp said: ‘It’s great, it’s emotional and fantastic, but that doesn’t solve the real problem.
We want to give Lucho, and he wanted that too, the opportunity to be a little distracted from things.
‘He can’t do anything. He waits all the time, the whole family waits all the time. He trained with us a few times and was in a good mood and that’s good for him.
‘The signals from Colombia are quite positive and optimistic, but not the only thing we want to hear has not happened yet.
How was he emotionally afterwards? After the match, no words were needed. We just gave each other a hug, that’s all. You know what he is like. Okay, but I’m desperately waiting for the right news.
‘I understand one hundred percent that it is a beautiful story. It’s super positive and great for him, but these things pass.
‘The real information we need is other information. Scoring is a very positive thing for him, but all other problems remain the same.’
In the second half, substitute Diaz headed Harvey Elliott’s cross within added time on Sunday
Luis Diaz’s extended family emotionally celebrated the Liverpool striker’s equalizer against Luton on Sunday in the wake of the ongoing manhunt for his father.
In a short video showing the player’s grandparents’ home, a crowd of people inside the house can be seen celebrating after Diaz rose highest in the penalty area to bring Liverpool back on level terms.
Earlier, the head of the rebel group that kidnapped the footballer’s parents admitted they had made a “mistake” by not freeing his father, Luis Manuel Diaz.
Uniformed soldiers are now working to secure the release of Diaz Snr and peace talks with the ELN continue.