Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Diaz wanted to ‘use football as a distraction’ says Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hailed Luis Diaz after the forward came off the bench to equalise against Luton Town.

The Colombian returned to the Liverpool side after missing the previous two games due to his parents being kidnapped in Colombia, with his father still missing.

He revealed a shirt after scoring in added time which said “LIBERTAD PARA PAPA” which translates to “FREEDOM FOR DAD”.

And Klopp said that Diaz wanted the distraction of playing football.

“It is wonderful, and is it emotional, and it is fantastic but the real problem is not sorted because of that. We wanted to give, and he wanted to as well, Lucho the opportunity to be distracted a little bit”, Klopp said.

“He cannot do nothing, he and his family are waiting all the time, so he trained a few times with us. He was then in a good mood and that is good for him.

“I think the signs from Colombia are rather positive, optimistic but the one thing we all want to hear did not happen yet.

“It was obvious that another offensive player (on the pitch) would make sense, you bring him on with the quality he has and he scores the goal.”

The game was marred by disaster related chants from the Luton fans, which were pointed out by co-commentator Jamie Carragher.

It was suggested the chants were relating to the Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives in 1989.

“I did not hear that. Shame on everybody that sang it, but I did not hear it”, said the Liverpool boss.

Klopp then gave credit to Luton town after a battling display.

“I think the draw was the fair result, and we could have lost. That is how is it. Credit to Luton, they did really well but we created chances and did not finish them off.

“We should have scored and created more, but first and foremost we actually played alright. We probably created enough to put one or two to bed.”

Tags Luis Diaz Luton Town

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