Jurgen Klopp speaks on Luiz Diaz's "worrying situation after Liverpool absence

29 October 2023 , 14:10

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Jurgen Klopp speaks on Luiz Diaz's "worrying situation after Liverpool absence

Jurgen Klopp said the concerning situation involving Luis Diaz's family was a "new experience he never needed".

The Colombian was due to play for Liverpool when they take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon, but has been left to deal with a family emergency after his parents were kidnapped by unidentified armed motorcyclists in Colombia on Saturday evening.

Police say they have rescued his mother from captors, however the whereabouts of his father remain unknown. Diaz has spoken with security forces who have been looking to locate his father. The incident occurred in Barrancas, La Guajira, and the Liverpool forward was duly left out of the contest at Anfield on Sunday.

Kop boss Klopp said: "We had to obviously make a late change because of the private situation involving Luis Diaz. 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."

A statement from Liverpool earlier in the day read: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia. It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority."

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Diaz had previously played in every Premier League game for the Reds this term, only failing to start one of those. He has two league goals to his name so far.

Luis Diaz has been left out of the Liverpool side on Sunday (Getty Images)

Diaz's national team wrote in a statement: "The Colombian Football Federation regrets the security situation that the parents of our player Luis Diaz are going through. From the FCF we express our solidarity with him and his entire family and we call for the relevant authorities to act as quickly as possible to resolve the situation."

With Diaz absent Liverpool have opted for a front three of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez with Cody Gakpo on the bench. The Reds have been impressive since football returned from the international break and hit five past Toulouse on Thursday night. Diaz was an unused sub three days ago.

Samuel Meade