The Premier League has confirmed Liverpool's equalizer in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Sunderland has been given as an own-goal, denying Florian Wirtz his first goal as a Red.
After struggling for long periods of the game, Liverpool finally got its breakthrough strike in the 81st minute when Wirtz wriggled free inside the box and managed to poke the ball into the net via a significant deflection off Nordi Mukiele.
Replays did not show a conclusive angle, but the Premier League confirmed within minutes that Wirtz's hopes had been thwarted. "The goal accreditation panel has adjudged Liverpool’s 81st minute goal as a Mukiele own goal," the Premier League said via its Match Centre account on X.
It was a devastating update for Wirtz, who is still searching for his first Liverpool goal after 18 matches for the club. He is also yet to record a Premier League assist.
Wirtz even predicted before the Sunderland game that his first strike for the club is imminent.
"I'm happy that I made a good game and could help the team to win. Everything else [in terms of goals and assists] will come soon," the 22-year-old said following the win over West Ham last weekend.
Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz reacts during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 3, 2025.
Florian Wirtz's equalizer for Liverpool against Sunderland has gone down as an own goal. (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Yet, speaking in the immediate aftermath of the 1-1 draw against Sunderland, Wirtz downplayed the significance of his goal being chalked off.
"It doesn't matter today. We draw, we wanted to win. That's what counts today. Unlucky," he told Sky Sports.
The Reds were sluggish for long periods of the game and fell behind to a Chemsdine Talbi strike in the 67th minute.
But the champions responded well in the final 15 minutes, with Curtis Jones and Wirtz combining for the equalizing goal.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Andrew Robertson during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on December 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Florian Wirtz celebrates Liverpool's equalizer against Sunderland. (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
"The last weeks were very difficult for us as a team, but we are on a good way to come back and we are giving everything to come back and win games," said Wirtz after the game.
"We wanted to win today. We want to be on the top table and we just have to continue, keep the hard work and the hopefully things will change."
The result leaves Liverpool sitting eighth in the Premier League table. However, given its condensed nature, the Reds remain just two points outside the Champions League places.