Luis Diaz left out of Liverpool squad for clash against Forest after his parents were kidnapped in Colombia, while authorities ‘continue the search’ for Reds star’s father after his mum was rescued and freed

• Liverpool star has been left out of the squad amid ongoing search for his parents
• His parents were kidnapped by gunmen on motorbikes in La Guajira, Colombia
• Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has described the situation as ‘worrying for us all’  

Liverpool star Luis Diaz has been left out of the squad ahead of their Nottingham Forest clash at Anfield.

Following the news that Diaz’s parents were kidnapped in Colombia, the star player has been left out of the squad. 

His parents were kidnapped after being stopped by gunmen on motorbikes in the city of Barrancas, Colombia. 

Recent updates have revealed that his mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued by police in the city, though his father is still missing. 

A club statement from Liverpool read: ‘Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia.

The parents of Luis Diaz are believed to have been kidnapped in his Colombian hometown 

The star’s mother (pictured in 2019) has been rescued, but his father is believed to be still being held captive, with authorities continuing the search 

‘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. 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said it was a ‘worrying situation for all of us’.

On leaving Diaz out of the squad: ‘We had to obviously make a late change because of the private situation involving Luis Diaz. It was a pretty tough night. I have never had that before. It’s a new experience I never needed.’

Colombia President Gustavo Petro revealed that his mother has been rescued as part of a ‘padlock operation’.

The President added that: ‘In a padlock operation in Barrancas, Luis Diaz’s mother has been rescued, we continue the search for the father,’ he tweeted. 

As per local reports, the player’s mother and father were stopped in their vehicles by the assailants in the town of Barrancas, in La Guajira, the town were Diaz grew up.

The suspected kidnappers then commandeered the van that Diaz’s parents were travelling in, and fled the scene.

Both military and police services are working together in the region to help identify the whereabouts of the victims. 

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