Jürgen Klopp paid tribute to Luis Díaz’s energy of character as he awaits affirmation in regards to the launch of his kidnapped father after the Colombia ahead’s injury-time equaliser saved Liverpool’s blushes in opposition to Luton.
A objective from the substitute Tahith Chong regarded like giving Luton their first dwelling Premier League win till Díaz headed dwelling a cross from Harvey Elliott within the fifth minute of stoppage time. It was the fruits of a testing week for the 26-year-old together with his father nonetheless not having been launched by kidnappers from the Nationwide Liberation Military (ELN) and he unveiled a T-shirt with the message “Libertad Para Papa” (Freedom for Dad) when he scored.
However whereas Klopp was delighted for his return to the Liverpool squad after he was disregarded of the win in opposition to Nottingham Forest final week, he insisted that they’re nonetheless anxiously awaiting updates over Luis Manuel Díaz.
“It’s great – there have been no phrases crucial,” the Liverpool supervisor stated. “The indicators in Colombia are optimistic however the one factor all of us need to hear hasn’t occurred but. We’re simply ready for that second.”
On Sunday night time Díaz launched an announcement saying: “I ask ELN to launch my father as quickly as doable. I additionally ask the worldwide associations to work on that with a view to assure his freedom.
“Each second, each minute we’re extra fearful. We’ve no phrases to explain our household’s horrible emotions, and it is going to be the identical so long as he’s not again at dwelling.
“I encourage you to launch my father proper now, respecting his integrity. I need to thank to all Colombians and likewise the worldwide neighborhood in your help.”
Klopp, who stated he didn’t hear a bit of dwelling followers apparently mocking the Hillsborough catastrophe, was disenchanted his facet did not report a league victory right here for a fifth successive match in a run that stretches again to 1987 however was complimentary about Luton’s battling show.
“It’s a wierd feeling – we must always have gained however we might have misplaced,” he stated. “Credit score to Luton as they did rather well however we weren’t calm sufficient when the massive probabilities got here. If we had taken one in every of our early probabilities then it might have been comfy for us.”
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The draw means Luton transfer out of the relegation zone forward of Bournemouth on objective distinction after securing solely their second level of the season right here.
“My overriding feeling is pleasure and never disappointment,” the supervisor, Rob Edwards, stated. “The gamers gave all the things however Liverpool discovered a method to get a outcome in the long run. We all know we have to get extra factors however we’re beginning to compete in opposition to among the finest groups within the league. We consider in ourselves – the beginning staff as we speak value about £4m and to get some extent in opposition to Liverpool is a tremendous achievement.”
