Father Of Liverpool Soccer Player Luis Diaz Released By Kidnappers In Colombia

The father of Liverpool and Colombia soccer star Luis "Lucho" Diaz has been released by his kidnappers after being held hostage for nearly two weeks.

Luis Diaz Snr was abducted in his hometown of Barrancas on October 28 by armed members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), an anti-government left-wing guerrilla group in Colombia.

The Liverpool player's mother was also taken before being freed within hours.

Diaz Snr was handed over to United Nations and Catholic church officials by ELN members on Thursday.

He then traveled by military helicopter to the city of Valledupar to undergo a medical examination before being reunited with his wife.

His release came four days after Diaz Jnr celebrated a goal for Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at Luton by revealing a message printed on a vest that read: "LIBERTAD PARA PAPA (freedom for dad)".

After scoring for Liverpool in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Luton, Luis Diaz appealed for his father to be released by kidnappers by revealing a message under his jersey that read: "LIBERTAD PARA PAPA"

IMAGO/PA Images/Zac Goodwin

Diaz Jnr was selected to start for Liverpool against Toulouse on Thursday, just hours after news of his father's release had broken.

Speaking before the game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told TNT Sports: "It looks like Lucho is really happy! Thumbs up all the time. It looks good, very, very good.

"But I'm not the one to release anything (news).

"Timing wise, it couldn't have been better. If it's today then great. That's all I can say."

Diaz played 81 minutes in Toulouse where Liverpool fell to a 3-2 defeat.