Diaz's mother and father were victims of an armed gang, who reportedly hijacked their truck as they were refueling near their home in Barrancas. The criminals forced them at gunpoint to drive north. Colombia's president, Gustavo Petro, announced on social media that Diaz's mother, Cilenis Marulanda, had been successfully rescued, but his father's whereabouts remained unknown.
Unsurprisingly, Diaz was omitted from the Reds' squad for their game against Nottingham Forest. In a show of solidarity, during the match, Diogo Jota revealed a jersey with Diaz's name and number, receiving applause from fans, players, and staff. The match ended with Liverpool winning 3-0, with goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah following Jota's opening goal.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's manager, acknowledged the challenge of focusing on football during such a distressing situation. The search for Diaz's missing father has escalated into a significant military and police operation.
While it's unclear whether Diaz had intended to return to South America, reports suggest that he has been strongly advised against traveling to Colombia. A close friend of the family, as communicated by journalist Jose Hugo Illera via The Mirror, indicated that Diaz's brother, Gabriel, is actively leading the search for their father. Both family members and law enforcement have urged Luis Diaz to remain where he is due to concerns for his safety.
Diaz is reported to have spoken with a member of the Colombian police force over the phone. Authorities are offering a £40,000 reward for information that could lead to the safe return of his father. Colombia's Attorney General, Francisco Barbosa, expressed concerns that the criminal gang might attempt to cross into Venezuela with Diaz's father, and he requested assistance from Colombia's president, Petro, in such a scenario.
In response, the governments of Venezuela and Colombia have reportedly been mobilizing troops near the border. Additionally, Colombia's football federation has called for the immediate release of Diaz's father.
Liverpool's next fixture is an away match against Bournemouth in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, and it remains uncertain whether Diaz will rejoin the squad at the Vitality Stadium. Since joining Liverpool from Porto in January 2022, the 26-year-old has made significant contributions, scoring 14 goals and providing nine assists in 58 appearances.
