Luis Diaz’s dad spotted in attendance at the Etihad after nightmare kidnap experience as he is set to spend part of Christmas in the UK

• Luis Diaz’s father Luis Manuel was held hostage for 12 days before being freed 
• He was in attendance to watch Diaz score a brace for Colombia against Brazil
• City-Liverpool is tough to referee… but our campaign is up and running – IAKO 

Luis Diaz’s father has been spotted in attendance at the Etihad as his son’s Manchester City take on Liverpool. 

The Liverpool star’s parents were accosted at gunpoint on October 28 by members of the Colombian left-wing guerilla group the National Liberation Army. 

Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda was released almost immediately after been taken captive, but his father Luis Manuel was held hostage for 12 days before being freed in a handover close to the Venezuelan border on November 9.

Luis Manuel was recently spotted emotionally celebrating as he watched his son score a brace for his country in Colombia’s 2-1 win over Brazil. 

And he will be hoping for the same heading into this game as Jurgen Klopp’s side seek to leapfrog City to go top of the Premier League. 

Luis Diaz’s dad was in attendance as Liverpool take on Premier League rivals Manchester City

Luis Manuel was also pictured in attendance as he watched his son play for Colombia vs Brazil

Diaz scored a brilliant double in quick succession as he cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli’s goal

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Diaz is on the bench to begin with, but may play a role later in the game should Liverpool need goals later on. 

The Colombian is in excellent form after scoring in quick succession to cancel out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener during the international break. 

The family reunited in incredibly emotional scenes with the football star seperated from his parents for the horrendous two-week ordeal. 

Liverpool chartered a private jet for Diaz’s parents to return to the UK following the historic victory, according to a PA news agency.  

The decision is said to have been made for security reasons, and to ensure the family can spent an extended period of time together following the traumatic events. 

The Reds travel to the Etihad in good form as they have one five of their last seven games in the league. 

They will face stiff competition from Pep Guardiola’s side who are on an incredible home run, winning all of their games at the Etihad this year. 

The winner will go top of the Premier League table as this now historic rivalry is set for another chapter on Saturday. 

The Liverpool forward, who flew back to Colombia ahead of the November international break, arrived in the city of Barranquilla on Tuesday to meet with his father Luis ‘Mane’ Diaz (centre)

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz (left) embraced his crying father (right) on Tuesday as the pair were reunited for the first time since he was kidnapped for almost two weeks in Colombia

Pictures have since been released of the four men arrested over the abduction of Diaz’s father

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