ELN release statement promising to release Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz's father

Colombian rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN) have confirmed that they are in the process of releasing Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of Luis Diaz, after he was kidnaped last week. The Liverpool attacker's mom was also kidnaped but was subsequently released after an overnight operation from the Colombian police.

ELN said via an elaborate statement on El Colombiano that they will release Diaz's father, who they described as a family member of a 'great sportsman'. The statement read: "We are in solidarity with the families who experience pain and tragedies due to unemployment, the criminal violence of paramilitarism and the abandonment of the State. The corruption of political clans is the main threat to the stability of the region.

"The Northern War Front has commands with economic missions and one of them carries out a privation of freedom, which, after being reported and verified that it is the father of Lucho Diaz, is guided by his release because he is a family member of the great sportsman that we all love as Colombians. From that moment on, the release process begins and we want to avoid any incident. Firm in the search for the paths of peace, with the necessary transformations that the country needs."

Antonio Garcia, who is believed to be one of the leaders at ELN, also confirmed in a short statement that they had no intention of targeting the Liverpool attacker's family members, adding that they want the issue to be resolved at the earliest.

The statement read: "The retention of Luis Díaz's father by the Guerra Norte front was a mistake. Luis is a symbol of Colombia and we feel him as such in the ELN. We hope that the operational situations on the ground can be resolved, this is the direction that the commanders have to expedite the liberation."

Diaz wasn't part of Liverpool's squad for their victories against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but returned to team training ahead of the Reds' Premier League clash against Luton Town. Jurgen Klopp said in his pre-match press conference that Diaz would decide if he wants to make himself available for the trip to Kenilworth Road, so it remains to be seen if he's part of the matchday squad tomorrow.