Jürgen Klopp provides Luis Díaz update as winger sits out Forest clash
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp broke his silence about the "worrying situation" in Colombia in which the parents of star winger Luis Díaz were abducted.
Klopp admitted that Díaz had had a "tough night" after the family van was ambushed at a petrol station by men on motorcycles in the Los Olivos neighbourhood of Barrancas (Guajira).
While his mother has been successfully rescued, according to Colombian police, the status of his father remains uncertain.
"A new experience I never needed"
Speaking to the media before the Reds' clash with Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, he said: "I have never had that before. It’s a new experience I never needed.”
Understandably, the Colombian was left out of the squad for the game. "We had to make a last-minute change," said the German coach. "It's a deeply concerning situation for all of us."
Díaz's place in the team was taken by Diogo Jota. The Portuguese opened the scoring on the day and displayed a shirt with Díaz's name in celebration as a show of support for his teammate.
Continued support
Likewise, the club said in a statement that they would continue to support their winger through the ordeal as they await further information.
It read: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Díaz 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.”
Similarly, the Colombian football federation said: "The Colombian Football Federation regrets the security situation that the parents of our player Luis Díaz 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."