Noa Lang was forced to have surgery in Liverpool on a horrific thumb injury sustained during his Galatasaray’s 4-0 defeat at Anfield last month
14:58, 14 Apr 2026Updated 17:44, 14 Apr 2026
Noa Lang receives medical attention during Galatasaray’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool have altered the advertising hoardings at Anfield after Noa Lang sustained a serious thumb during a Champions League match last month. The Galatasaray forward sustained a deep cut in a freak incident after crashing into the advertising hoarding as he chased a ball which went out of play during his side’s 4-0 defeat.
The 26-year-old received lengthy treatment, and some 45 minutes after the final whistle, he was taken out of the stadium still on a stretcher. Lang would go on to have emergency surgery at Whiston Hospital, and tonight is the first time the Reds have hosted a Champions League game since the incident.
Following the game, Liverpool and UEFA officials were spotted investigating the advertising hoarding where the incident occurred.
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And now, according to The Athletic, work has been carried out at Anfield to modify some of the boards around the goal areas which have an impact gap in the event of a player hitting them, but while Liverpool believe what happened to Lang was a freak accident, the changes should help ensure there is no repeat in the future.
Speaking to Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport last month, Lang said: “I still have it (my thumb) completely, that’s the most important thing.
“I just can’t play PlayStation for a while, but that will come. Luckily, I only need my legs to be able to play football.”
After the game, Galatasaray filed an official complaint with UEFA and were considering a legal case for compensation.
The club’s general secretary Eray Yazgan told Turkish news outlet HTSport the day after the game: “After the match, we lodged a complaint with UEFA representatives regarding the matter. They conducted their investigation.
Ground staff and members of Liverpool investigate the board on which Noa Lang of Galatasaray sustained an injury to his thumb during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg at Anfield on March 18 2026(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“UEFA will evaluate the issue. We are consulting with lawyers. We will submit our compensation claim to UEFA. We will request that our grievances regarding salaries be addressed.
“If our request is not met, a lawsuit may be filed. Our priority is the health of our players.”
In a statement, Galatasaray club doctor Yener Ince explained more on the injury last month, saying: “I want to talk about the condition of our two players who were injured in the Champions League Round of 16 match against Liverpool.
“Our player Noa Lang has suffered a serious injury to the first finger of his right hand. I want to clarify that there is no complete amputation; however, the injury is significant.
“Because this area needed urgent repair, he underwent a successful operation in Liverpool as quickly as possible, without being brought to Istanbul.”