A Premier League VAR adjustment played a key role in allowing Florian Wirtz’s disputed goal to count, prompting discussion over how offside decisions are now judged
19:41, 04 Jan 2026
Florian Wirtz's goal was deemed to be onside
Florian Wirtz's goal was deemed to be onside(Image: Premier League)
Florian Wirtz’s contentious goal was allowed to stand due to a change in how VAR assesses offside decisions.
The German finished calmly into the corner, only for the assistant referee to raise the flag for offside. Replays showed the call was extremely tight, making the outcome difficult to judge. However, following an extended review, Wirtz’s goal was awarded to bring Liverpool level against Fulham.
The Premier League later offered clarification, with its 'Match Centre' account on X sharing a brief explanation and an illustrative video detailing why Wirtz was deemed onside. The message read: "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."
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The league is using thicker lines when the VAR reviews offside calls, a change designed to reduce close decisions after there were numerous instances where goals were disallowed because of a player’s toe or armpit being marginally offside, a trend that many fans and pundits felt was detracting from the game.
Wirtz himself thought he was offside.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he said: "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.
Florian Wirtz scores Liverpool's equalizer against Fulham
Florian Wirtz scores Liverpool's equalizer against Fulham(Image: Getty Images)
"We need points, and we wanted three points today. We know there's no easy game in this league. 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."
On the draw, he added: "The intensity we brought on the pitch in the second half was much better. We didn't press them well in the first half, but the second half was much better.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also expressed confusion over the decision while speaking on Sky Sports, saying: "He looks offside to me.
"When you have the lines and the penalty spot, he definitely looks further forward. I know the camera angles can fool you sometimes, but I just can't believe it has been given."
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Fulham manager Marco Silva also felt the German's goal was a "clear offside."
"It was a moment when we lost the ball,” Silva told Sky Sports. “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.”
Liverpool secured its second consecutive draw to start 2026 after Harrison Reed’s stunning stoppage-time strike earned Fulham a point. Cody Gakpo had appeared to have given the Reds a 2-1 win moments earlier.