LUIS DIAZ has not been included in Liverpool’s squad to face Nottingham Forest after his parents were kidnapped in Colombia.
The Reds’ team was confirmed at 1pm on Sunday afternoon, with Colombian Diaz not among the starting XI or substitutes.
Cops and the army were deployed in a massive search for the star’s mum and dad after they were seized in La Guajira, Colombia on Saturday evening.
The 26-year-old’s parents were at a petrol station in their home town of Barrancas when they were approached by two armed men, according to W Radio.
A desperate search for Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda was launched by the director of police General William Salamanca.
Later it was reported Cilenis had been found safely and taken into police protection.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Cops are still hunting for Diaz’s dad and have now offered a £40,000 reward – despite earlier reports in local media suggesting he had been rescued during a shootout.
Liverpool star Diaz has started eight of the Reds’ nine Premier League games so far this season – appearing as a substitute in the other.
He has contributed three goals and one assist in 11 matches in all competitions.
Speaking about the situation, manager Jurgen Klopp said: “We had to obviously make a late change because of the private situation involving Luis Diaz.
Most read in Football
“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.”
Diaz was born and raised in the heartland of Colombia’s largest indigenous community.
His football skills impressed scouts, including Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama.
After scoring seven goals at the 2015 Copa Sudamericana de Pueblos Indigenas, Diaz’s career began to take off.
Atletico Junior sent him on loan to Barranquilla, where he was put on a special diet to gain 10kg.
Diaz crossed the Atlantic to join Porto in 2019, before moving to Liverpool in January 2022.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Salah, Nunez, Jota.
Substitutes: Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Matip, Chambers, McConnell, Endo, Elliott, Gakpo.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
