Colombian police search mountains for the kidnapped father of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz

Diaz’s mother was rescued but Colombian authorities have intensified the search for his father as the player has returned home to be with his family members.

Police are conducting air patrols in the Perija Mountains, which lie on the border with Venezuela and are covered by forest.

A social media post showed Colombian Police General William Salamanca visiting the operation to “appreciate our commandos for their courage and commitment to rescue him safe and sound.”

The police have offered a reward worth around 45,000 euros for information that leads to the rescue of Luis Manuel Diaz.

Salamanca urged caution over reports that Luis Manuel may have already been taken to Venezuela and noted the difficulty of crossing the Perija Mountains.

Both FIFA and the Colombian Football Association have offered support to 26-year-old Diaz, while Liverpool allowed the player to return home.

After Sunday’s 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said the preparation for the game was “the most difficult I’ve ever had in my life”.

Klopp added: “I didn’t expect that, I wasn’t prepared for it. I don’t want to make the game bigger than it was, but we definitely tried to help Luis in the fight we had because obviously we did. “I want to help and we can’t really help.”

“The only thing we can do is fight for him and that’s what the boys did.”

Liverpool said in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm that it is aware of the ongoing situation surrounding Luis Diaz’s family in Colombia.”

“We sincerely hope that the matter will be resolved safely and at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our top priority.”

Liverpool signed Diaz from Porto in January 2022 in an initial deal worth £37.5m, which included a potential additional £12.5m in add-ons.