With Liverpool flying Luis Diaz’s parents and extended family to Merseyside for the holidays, his father celebrated an emotional 55th birthday on Sunday.
Following the horrible tragedy that saw Luis Manuel Diaz and his wife Cilenis Marulanda kidnapped in Colombia, the club has provided their No. 7 with all of the necessary support.
While Diaz’s mother, Marulanda, was quickly rescued, Diaz Sr was held captive by a terrorist gang for nearly two weeks before being freed.
He was subsequently reunited with his son, who scored twice in Colombia’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in Barranquilla, before flying to Liverpool with his family.
Diaz Sr was in the stands for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Man City after the club chartered a private jet for the Diaz family, who will spend Christmas on Merseyside.
The following day saw celebrations at Diaz’s home, as the Liverpool winger’s father turned 55.
Diaz’s wife, Gera Ponce, organized the celebration, which brought Diaz Sr and Marulanda together with their children, including Diaz’s brothers Roller and Jesus, as well as his sister Anny.
“I want to thank God for allowing me to celebrate another year of life,” Diaz Sr wrote on Instagram.
“My family, my wife, my children, my daughter-in-law for making me spend this beautiful day [like this].
“God bless you, I always love you with all my heart.”
It is unclear how long the Diaz family will stay in the UK, although they are expected to spend Christmas and possibly New Year’s in Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp discussed the club’s involvement in getting Diaz Sr, his wife, and children back safely after the draw at the Etihad on Saturday.
“They are here now so he will have more moments to share,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’m happy for the whole family that they are together and everything is fine. The club helped them a lot, it was really cool.
“With all the bad things in that situation, there was nothing good about it, just how that whole group reacted was really good.
“Now they are here, so that’s cool. It’s a good combination for Christmas obviously, for the family.”