Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped at the end of last month, and while his mother was released shortly afterwards, his father spent 12 days as a captive.
Thankfully the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) released Luis Manuel Diaz on Thursday and he has returned to safety.
The news came on the same day Liverpool are taking on Toulouse in the Europa League in France, Diaz was named in the squad for the contest and was announced in the starting line-up.
Asked for the Colombian’s reaction to the long-desired news, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: ‘It looks like Luis is really happy, thumbs up all of the time so it looks very good but I’m not the one to release anything.
‘Timing wise it couldn’t have been better.’
On the winger’s mindset and ability to play, Klopp added: ‘Yes, [we] asked him, he wants to [play], so good and he will.’
A delegation of the Colombian Government said in a statement on Thursday: ‘We register with joy the release of Don Luis Manuel Díaz. Also, that he was able to return safely to his family and his community.
‘We hope that he will soon regain his peace of mind, disturbed by an event that should never have happened. We will be attentive to any request made by the Díaz family. Likewise, we record with satisfaction that this release, coordinated by members of the Dialogue Table, has occurred with total respect for the dignity of Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz, that of his family and that of the people around him.
‘We express our gratitude to the military and police authorities, to the UN Verification Mission in Colombia and to the Episcopal Conference for having facilitated and supported the release process.’
MORE : ‘I’ll be shocked’ – Paul Merson makes surprise prediction for Wolves vs Tottenham
MORE : Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father released after kidnapping in Colombia
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
