Luis Diaz dedicated Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final 2024 win over Chelsea to his parents after helping his side secure their first trophy of the campaign with an extra-time victory at Wembley Stadium.
Colombia international Diaz missed a Premier League match in October while police in his homeland searched for his father following both of his parents being kidnapped.
The 27-year-old’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was missing for a day but his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was only released after nine days, with Reds players holding up a shirt dedicated to Diaz during his ordeal.
“I dedicate this title to my mum and dad,” Diaz told Sky Sports, via a translator. “They’re both here. For everything they went through, it makes it so special to be able to win this title.”
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Diaz had the most touches of any Liverpool player inside the Chelsea box as a youthful, injury-hit side survived their opponents having an early goal ruled out, hitting a post and almost scoring several times shortly before the end of regular time.
Captain Virgil van Dijk, who had a goal ruled out during the second half, headed the winner with two minutes of extra time remaining to ensure Diaz won the Carabao Cup for a second time.
The former Porto livewire has scored 10 times and set up five goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this season.
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“It was a very tough match and big matches are played this way,” Diaz said after Liverpool extended their own record as the most successful team in the history of the competition with a 10th triumph.
“It was very physical. We were very tired at the end but we knew we could make it and were able to deliver the result.
“We have a year with lots of matches. We knew it would be a challenge but we prepared really well.”
Diaz was one of four outfield Liverpool players to feature for the entire final alongside Van Dijk, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott.
His role has gained added importance in the absence of players including top scorer Mohamed Salah, forward Darwin Nunez, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and wideman Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool host Championship club Southampton in the FA Cup on Wednesday and visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
