Florian Wirtz’s equalising goal for Liverpool in their 2-2 draw with Fulham was initially ruled out before VAR intervened and ruled that he wasn’t actually offside
Both Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have claimed that Florian Wirtz’s controversial equaliser against Fulham shouldn’t have stood – despite VAR awarding the goal. Liverpool star Wirtz made it 1-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday after being threaded through by Conor Bradley.
The offside flag was immediately raised and for a few seconds, it seemed that Fulham’s clean sheet was intact. But when the Premier League’s semi-automated offside technology had a look, the officials were told that Wirtz was indeed onside.
However, multiple pundits including Lineker and Shearer have raised doubts. “In football, you are talking fine margins,” Shearer began on the The Rest Is Football podcast. “Fine margins helped them get the Wirtz goal because, looking at that, I thought it was offside.”
Lineker replied: “That was bizarre, wasn’t it? The line on the pitch was exact…maybe the line was a bit [skewed], I don’t know, because they’ve got this automated thing that we’re trying to trust.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was in agreement with the pair while covering the game live on Sky Sports. “He looks offside to me.” Carragher admitted.
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“He looks like he’s further forward. I know sometimes the angles can fool you, but the fact we’ve got the penalty spot to look at, I just can’t believe that’s been given.”
Ex-Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer felt the same, saying on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Looking at replays of that Liverpool goal, every frame that they stop at it looks offside. It’s a strange one.”
Even Wirtz wasn’t convinced. “I was sure it was offside so I didn’t even celebrate. I was happy that I scored but I’d rather take the three points,” the German said post-match.
Should Florian Wirtz’s goal have been allowed to stand? Have your say in the comments section.
Liverpool looked to have snatched all three points when Cody Gakpo made it 2-1 in the 94th minute. But before the final whistle sounded, Harrison Reed let fly and scored a stunning equaliser from 25 yards.
“Yes that’s true, I thought that [his goal was the winner],” Gakpo told Match of the Day. “The moment I sat down on the bench they scored. It’s disappointing for us.
“We fought very hard in the second half, dominated at moments and tried to create chances to get through. At the end I scored in minute 95, they scored in minute 97 – a wonderful goal to be fair. Unlucky, unfortunate.”
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