Substitute Luis Díaz scored a late header to equalize 1-1 for Liverpool against modest hosts Luton Town on Sunday, dedicating the goal to his father, who was kidnapped in Colombia. The 26-year-old player withdrew from Liverpool's match last week after armed men kidnapped his parents in Colombia, but he requested to return to the squad and was brought on by coach Jürgen Klopp in the closing minutes of the match as the team was trailing.
Colombian Luis Díaz returned to the bench in the Premier League match against Luton Town on Sunday while waiting for the release of his father, who was kidnapped by armed men. Liverpool fans warmly applauded Díaz as he warmed up at Kenilworth Road before the match. The 26-year-old missed the previous round match against Nottingham Forest after armed men kidnapped his mother, Celinés Marulanda, and his father, Luis Manuel Díaz, in northern Colombia, with his mother being released hours later.
Last Thursday, the National Liberation Army rebels announced they would release his father. Coach Jürgen Klopp said before the match: "It’s still very emotional, but Luis decided three days ago that he wanted to experience returning to training again. As far as I understand, all the indicators he received (regarding his father's release) are very positive." He added: "Negotiations are ongoing, but they are still positive, and that’s why he wanted to be part of the team and join us. No one can imagine how he feels; he was fine in training, and that’s why he is with us here."
