Galatasaray forward Noa Lang underwent emergency surgery in Liverpool on Wednesday night after sustaining a severe laceration to his right thumb during a Champions League match against Liverpool. The injury casts doubt on his availability for upcoming Netherlands national team fixtures.
The incident occurred late in the match, which Liverpool won 4-0, when Lang collided with a perimeter advertising board. He was immediately taken off the field on a stretcher, visibly in pain.
Galatasaray confirmed that Lang suffered a “serious cut” to his thumb and required immediate surgical intervention in Liverpool. The club shared a message wishing Lang a speedy recovery, along with teammate Victor Osimhen, who also sustained an injury during the match.
Reports from Turkish media suggest the injury may be more severe than initially thought, with some outlets claiming Lang lost a portion of his fingertip in the collision. However, this information has not been officially confirmed.
Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong visited Lang after the game and relayed concerns about the extent of the injury. “I don’t know exactly what happened, because his finger is covered,” Frimpong told Ziggo Sport. “Some said a piece of the top of his thumb is gone. But he is in a lot of pain, in any case.”
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Lang, as Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman is set to announce his squad on Friday for upcoming friendly matches against Norway on March 27 and Ecuador on March 31. The 26-year-old’s participation now appears uncertain.
Lang came on as a substitute for Galatasaray in the second half but was forced to leave the pitch after just 15 minutes. Liverpool advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals with the victory, and will face Paris Saint-Germain.
