Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool have acted to improve pitch side safety at Anfield after the serious thumb injury suffered by Galatasaray winger Noa Lang in last month’s Champions League tie.
The Athletic has reported that the club has adjusted the advertising hoardings around the goal posts ahead of Tuesday night’s quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Lang sustained a severe laceration to his right thumb late in the first leg at Anfield, colliding with the LED boards at the Anfield Road end as he chased the ball.
His thumb became trapped between two panels, prompting a lengthy stoppage before he was taken off on a stretcher and transported to Whiston Hospital for emergency surgery. Doctors were ultimately able to save the thumb, avoiding amputation.
In the aftermath of the incident, both Liverpool and UEFA committed to reviewing how the injury had occurred and whether any wider risk existed for players.
Safety specialists have since examined the layout and construction of the hoardings, focusing on the gaps and moving sections that can be exposed when players crash into them at speed. UEFA also pledged to look at pitchside setups across other stadiums hosting its competitions.
Ahead of PSG’s visit, Liverpool have now modified certain boards around the penalty areas, particularly those with impact gaps that might pose a risk in a collision.
The club regards what happened to Lang as an extremely rare and unfortunate accident but believes the alterations will further reduce the chances of a similar incident in future.
Lang, on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, was able to join up with the Netherlands squad during the March international break, though he did not feature in their friendlies.
He has since returned to club action in the Turkish Super League and has spoken positively about his recovery despite such a nasty injury.
