LIVERPOOL

Luis Diaz celebration pays tribute to father: what did the t-shirt say?

The Liverpool star’s parents were kidnapped earlier this week. On Sunday Diaz returned to the team to score a crucial late goal.

JUSTIN TALLISAFP

Luis Diaz sent a powerful message after scoring a late equaliser for Liverpool on Sunday.

The Colombian has endured a nightmare week after his parents were taken hostage by kidnappers on 29 October. Diaz’ mother has now been safely reunited with the rest of the family, but the whereabouts of his father is still unknown.

Diaz was absent for Liverpool’s midweek win over Bournemouth but returned to the team for Sunday’s Premier League game at Luton Town. The 26-year-old came off the bench to level the game with a towering header in injury time, revealing a t-shirt with an emotional message in his celebration.

‘LIBERTAD PARA PAPA’, the shirt read. The message translates to ‘Freedom for my father’.

Daiz’ late goal ensured Liverpool avoided an embarrassing defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Luton. However even with the draw, Liverpool are now three points adrift of current leaders Manchester City.

Has Luis Diaz’ mother been released?

The Colombian’s t-shirt only referenced his father, although both parents were taken when kidnappers ambushed them at a gas station in Barrancas.

Diaz’ mother was rescued by police one day after the kidnapping, but her husband was not found.

The search for the Liverpool star’s father continues with Colombian President Gustavo Petro insisting that “all the public forces have been deployed” to bring him home safely. Officials have suggested that he could have been taken into neighbouring Venezuela. A mountain range between the two South American nations has been a key area of search.

Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) have taken responsibility for the kidnapping and claims that they intend to return Diaz’ father safely.

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