Klopp did not force Luis Diaz to play

According to coach Jurgen Klopp, Luis Diaz has returned to training and will decide for himself whether to play against Luton Town in round 11 of the Premier League while his father is still missing.

Diaz returned to Colombia ahead of the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on 29 October and missed the 2-1 win at Bournemouth in the last 16 of the League Cup in midweek. The 26-year-old has only returned to training for the last two sessions and will decide whether he will be available for tomorrow's match at Kenilworth Road on 5 November.

"We're not going to force Diaz's situation," Klopp said at his pre-match press conference. "It's out of our control and we're just waiting for good news. Luiz trained two days ago, yesterday too, and will be in the squad. Luiz is fine, but he hasn't slept much."

Diaz shoots at AXA training ground on November 3. Photo: liverpoolfc.com — Diaz shoots at AXA training ground on November 3. Photo: *liverpoolfc.com*

On November 2, the Colombian government confirmed that the perpetrators of the kidnapping of Diaz's parents were the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group. Officials are negotiating with the rebels and have affirmed that they take full responsibility for ensuring the safety of Diaz's father.

Klopp sees this as good news and gives Liverpool more hope. "I can't say what we will do," the German coach added about the incident. "It's up to Diaz whether he is ready or not. I don't want to force anything."

On October 28, Diaz’s parents were kidnapped while driving home in the town of Barrancas, in the Colombian province of La Guajira. Upon hearing the news, Diaz immediately returned to his hometown with several Liverpool employees. Police and military personnel were mobilized to search for them. Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was later rescued, but his father, Luis Manuel, remains missing. Police have offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the victims’ whereabouts.

Special forces have been deployed to search for Luis Manuel, with air and ground patrols combing a mountain range between Colombia and Venezuela. According to Justice Minister Francisco Barbosa, Diaz’s father may have been taken to neighboring Venezuela, beyond the reach of Colombian police. They may seek diplomatic help from Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

At a press conference on November 3, Klopp also answered many questions about the future of Mohamed Salah - the star who received an offer from Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad in the summer of 2022. "Salah never came to me and said he wanted to go to Saudi Arabia," he said. "I never thought about it for a second. I don't know anything about the offer from Saudi Arabia and it doesn't matter. Salah is happy at Liverpool."

The 56-year-old coach said Darwin Nunez was still adapting with improved English skills, while Thiago Alcantara would not return until early 2024. Klopp also predicted Luton Town would play deep, relying heavily on set pieces despite playing at home.

Hong Duy

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