Luis Diaz returns to Liverpool squad for first time since parents' kidnapping

Luis Diaz has returned to the Liverpool squad for the first time since his parents were abducted in Colombia.

The winger was absent in Liverpool's last two outings against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, but makes the bench for the Reds' trip to Luton Town in Sunday's late-afternoon kick-off.

Diaz had returned to training earlier this week, but many were unsure whether he would feature in this weekend's matchday squad.

It comes after the Colombian international's parents were kidnapped by Marxist-Leninist guerrilla insurgency group ELN last weekend.

Positive signs

“It is still pretty emotional but Luis [Diaz] decided three days ago that he wants to try training again," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"I have said before, the training ground, the football pitch is the safe place for the boys. There he can behave normal and for a few minutes at least forget what is going on. But all the signs he gets as I understand it are very positive.

"Negotiations are ongoing but it is still positive so that is why he wanted to be part of the team and he could come on as well. From that point of view I have no issue but nobody can imagine how something like that feels. On the training ground he has been fine and that is why he is here.”

His mother was released hours after the initial abduction, but his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, has since remained in captivity.

A "mistake"

In the latest update regarding the kidnapping, ELN appear to be processing Luis Manuel's release, vowing to do so in a statement.

Moreover, the head of the guerrilla group has acknowledged the organisation made a "mistake" in abducting Diaz's father.

"The retention of Luis Diaz's father by the Northern War Front was a mistake," ELN commander Antonio Garcia wrote on his Telegram channel, via AFP.

"Lucho is a symbol of Colombia -- that is how we in the ELN feel about him.

"We hope that the operational situation on the ground can be resolved, this is the guidance that the commanders have to expedite the release."