Luis Diaz scores dramatic late goal in Liverpool return – before unveiling message for kidnapped dad in Colombia

6 months ago 58

LIVERPOOL winger Luis Diaz paid a touching tribute to his kidnapped dad tonight after scoring a last minute equaliser against Luton.

Smashing home the dramatic 95 minute leveller, he lifted his shirt to reveal the words ‘Libertad Para Papa’ – ‘Freedom for my father’.

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has paid a touching tribute to his kidnapped dad tonight as scored against Luton
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Liverpool’s Diaz with his mum Cilenis Marulanda and dad Luis, who remains captive[/caption]

The 26-year-old had come off the bench at Kenilworth Road to secure a vital point for Liverpool who sit third in the Premier League.

His celebration sparked jubilation among Liverpool fans who have rallied behind the winger in the nine days since last weekend’s horror kidnapping.

Luis Manuel Díaz Jimenez, 58, was taken hostage at gunpoint alongside his wife on October 28 at a petrol station in Colombia.

The kidnap by communist ELN rebels is believed to have been masterminded by a 40-year-old female fighter called Patricia.

Colombian authorities have offered a reward of $200,000,000 Peso (£40,600) for Luis Diaz’s return.

The kidnap has sparked outrage in the South American nation, where Luis Diaz is immensely popular and plays for the national team.

Diaz’s mum Cilenis Marulanda held back tears today as she demanded her husband’s release.

Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with her his face and the message ‘your family is waiting for you’, she told reporters: “I want them to release him now.

“That the people who are keeping him free him now back to me, because we want to have him back home.”

Gunmen accosted the couple at a petrol station in their hometown of Barrancas, in the northern province of La Guajira.

They left Cilenis in the car but dragged Luis off before police closed in.

Protests demanding the father’s release took place in the town today.

Diaz had missed Wednesday’s 2-1 EFL cup fourth round clash with Bournemouth and last weekend’s game against Nottingham Forest as he dealt with the kidnapping saga.

Manager Jürgen Klopp dedicated Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Forest to Díaz, saying it was “for our brother”.

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