Despite recent kidnap agony, Luis Diaz makes the difference for Liverpool
Liverpool's usually effervescent Colombian striker Luis Diaz looked solemn as he sat on the substitutes' bench during his side's Premier League game at Luton on Sunday because his father remains kidnapped by Colombian rebels.Yet despite the personal anguish, the 26-year-old not only requested to be in Jurgen Klopp's squad for the game, but then came on and scored a last-ditch equaliser.
![Despite recent kidnap agony, Luis Diaz makes the difference for Liverpool](/Archive/2023/11/6/2133305/kapak_154101.jpg)
Not surprisingly, there was no whirling away in delight this time. Rather, Diaz lifted up his shirt to revel a white undertop with words in black: "Libertad Para Papa" (Freedom For Dad).
Though his goal had broken Luton fans' hearts, they too joined Liverpool supporters in a wave of applause for Diaz as he left the pitch.
"We're supporting him and feeling his pain but for him it's a different level," said Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas have said they will release Luis Manuel Diaz, as they did Diaz's mother. That cannot come soon enough for player and club.
"A wonderful moment. But it doesn't change the situation. The most important thing is that his father gets released," Klopp said of the goal in the fifth minute of added time.
"We knew he would be a threat. We didn't know how long he would play because he only had a few sessions with the team. But that is not the most important part today. He scored the goal but we need to see some improvement in Colombia."
Most Read News
-
Pan Guang’s two proposals
-
Time for change and a fresh breath
-
Video: Group sexual assault on woman in Taliban prison
-
Toni Kroos bids farewell to football
-
Iran's new president responds to Are you Turkish?
-
Biden makes striking claim
-
Hungarian PM Orban meets with Putin in Russia
-
Pezeshkian elected as Iran's 9th president
-
Beştepe Palace denies 'expats tax' rumor
-
Dollar and Euro start the day with gains