Luis Diaz’s Emotional Tribute After Late Equalizer for Liverpool vs. Luton
Liverpool’s winger, Luis Diaz, scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer for the Reds, securing a 1-1 draw against Luton. In a poignant moment, Diaz paid tribute to his father during the celebration. The Colombian forward leaped highest to head the ball past goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski in the 95th minute, salvaging a valuable point for Liverpool. Prior to this, they were facing a potential shock defeat following Tahith Chong’s second-half opener.
Can you BELIEVE it?!
Luis Diaz comes off the bench and equalises for Liverpool in the 95th minute! 💪🔴 pic.twitter.com/Vd2KnMaV58
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 5, 2023
Diaz’s return to the Liverpool squad marked an emotional moment as it was his first appearance since his parents were kidnapped in Colombia. While his mother has been released, his father remains missing. In a heartfelt gesture, Diaz revealed a shirt bearing the message “Libertad Para Papa,” which translates to “Freedom for Dad” in English.
The Colombian government revealed that Diaz’s parents had been abducted by the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group. Earlier in the week, Diaz had publicly appealed to the captors to release his father. Notably, the head of the ELN group admitted that holding Diaz’s father was a “mistake” and promised his release soon.
Before the Luton match, Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, explained Diaz’s return to the squad, stating, “It is still an emotional time for him, but he made the decision three days ago to return to training. The football pitch provides a safe haven for the players, a place where they can momentarily forget about their personal struggles. The signs are positive, negotiations are ongoing, and that’s why he wanted to be part of the team. He trained well, and there are no concerns on that front; that’s why he’s here.”