Lang's surgery for thumb injury 'went well'

Noa Lang reacts on the floor after cutting his thumbImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Noa Lang was carried off on a stretcher after suffering an injury to his right thumb

ByEmily Salley
BBC Sport journalist
  • Published

Galatasaray midfielder Noa Lang has said his surgery "went well" after he suffered a "serious cut" to his thumb during their 4-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield.

The 26-year-old collided with the advertising hoardings in the 76th minute of Wednesday's game and he fell to the floor clutching his thumb after looking at the wound on his right hand.

Lang appeared to be in agony and he was consoled by Liverpool's Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk as he was attended to by medical staff.

The Netherlands international received oxygen before being taken off the field on a stretcher.

In a statement released on Thursday, Galatasaray said Lang "suffered a serious cut to his right thumb".

Later, Lang posted a photo from Whiston Hospital, showing him smiling alongside two nurses while still wearing his Galatasaray shirt.

"Surgery went well! Thanks for all the messages," he said on Instagram.

Noa Lang smiling from a hospital bed with two nurses at Whiston HospitalImage source, Noa Lang Instagram
Image caption,

Lang posted a picture of himself smiling alongside two nurses at Whiston Hospital

Speaking after the last-16 match, which Liverpool won 4-1 on aggregate, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk said it was a "bad injury".

Liverpool and Uefa officials were seen inspecting the same section of advertising hoardings after the game.

European football's governing body said it had "reviewed the circumstances leading to the unfortunate accident" and "will be reviewing the pitchside set-up, including LED boards at all upcoming matches to identify any potential comparable risks and ask clubs to take appropriate measures if necessary".

It added: "We wish Noa Lang a full and swift recovery."

Ground staff and members of Liverpool investigate the board on which Noa Lang of Galatasaray suffered an injuryImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Liverpool and Uefa officials were seen investigating the area of advertising hoarding on which Lang sustained his injury

Galatasaray also confirmed that Victor Osimhen suffered a fracture to his right forearm during the first half.

The Nigeria forward went down holding his arm following a challenge with Ibrahima Konate in the eighth minute, but he played on until he was replaced by Leroy Sane at half-time.

"Following the match, a check-up at the hospital under the supervision of our medical team revealed that our player had a fracture in his right forearm, and a cast was applied," Galatasaray said.

"A decision regarding surgery will be made in the coming days after further evaluation."

Buruk complained about referee Pawel Raczkowski's decision-making following Osimhen's injury.

"Looking at Osimhen's position, we saw that Konate was able to commit these fouls very easily, he could easily apply any kind of foul," Buruk said.

"While we were expecting the best referee in the world, perhaps one of the worst referees officiated the game."

Liverpool will face reigning champions Paris St-Germain in the quarter-finals.