Jamie Carragher has questioned the VAR technology after Florian Wirtz's goal for Liverpool against Fulham was allowed to stand in the dramatic 2-2 draw on Sunday
Florian Wirtz' goal was allowed to stand
Florian Wirtz' goal was allowed to stand(Image: Premier League)
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Jamie Carragher said he was shocked that Florian Wirtz's goal for Liverpool against Fulham was given by VAR. Wirtz appeared to be offside when he found the back of the net at Craven Cottage to make it 1-1, but a long VAR check saw the on-field decision overturned.
Conor Bradley burst into the penalty area and found Wirtz, who curled past Bernd Leno with a cool finish. The German did not celebrate much and the offside flag was quickly raised by the linesman.
However, after a long VAR check, Stockley Park overturned the original decision and allowed the goal to stand. The Premier League match centre explained: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and established that Wirtz was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded."
The goal cancelled out a similar decision that went in Fulham's favour, when Harry Wilson's effort was initially ruled out for offside before VAR intervened to give the goal. Liverpool later went 2-1 up through Cody Gakpo's back-post finish, before Harrison Reed's long-range rocket in the 97th minute saw the game finish 2-2.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, former Liverpool defender Carragher questioned the accuracy of the VAR technology, believing that Wirtz was offside.
"He looks offside to me. He looks like he's further forward," Carragher said on Sky Sports. "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."
Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer agreed with Carragher, 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."
Florian Wirtz was just onside
Florian Wirtz was adjudged to have been onside for Liverpool's opening goal
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"It was a moment when we lost the ball," Fulham boss Marco Silva said of the Wirtz goal. "We created a lot of connections and the positions of the midfielders we have to be more careful. Looked a clear offside but the lines gave a goal. We took a bit of time to react."
And even Wirtz himself was surprised to be awarded his second Liverpool goal. "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," he said post-match.
Speaking about Reed's thunderbolt, he added: "The strike, there is nothing to say. It was unbelievable. You cannot save that ball. Normally, it doesn't go in like this. The actions before could have been better, I'm not sure. It was from a throw-in, so we have to be better.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool scores
Florian Wirtz scored Liverpool's first goal at Craven Cottage
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"Again, we are in a difficult situation because we drew two times. It's not what we want, we want more. We have to get better but it's still a process."
Gakpo was booked for taking off his shirt after converting Jeremie Frimpong's cross in the 94th minute. "Yes that's true, I thought that [his goal was the winner]," he 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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