VAR overruled the offside as Fulham’s goal was allowed to count – BBC
Liverpool’s most recent Premier League draw has been analysed endlessly, yet one incident continues to overshadow everything that followed the final whistle.
Florian Wirtz’s equaliser at Craven Cottage looked extremely tight in real time, led to an extended VAR review, and was ultimately given — despite claims that the German may have been marginally offside.
BBC Sport’s football issues correspondent Dale Johnson has since clarified why the decision went in Liverpool’s favour, even though the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder had technically drifted beyond the defensive line.
“Wirtz appeared offside — and he was, by the smallest of margins,” Johnson explained in his BBC Sport column. “So how did the goal survive a VAR check?”
The answer lies in the Premier League’s ongoing use of an offside tolerance, which remains in place even with semi-automated technology now being used.
Why Wirtz’s goal counted
As outlined by the BBC, officials still allow a margin for error to compensate for limitations in the system, such as pinpointing the exact moment the ball is played.
Because of that leeway, a player who appears fractionally offside on the frame can still be judged onside once the tolerance is applied. Johnson added that when similar guidelines were introduced during the 2021/22 season, referees believed they could lead to roughly “20 extra goals per campaign.”
The timing of Wirtz’s strike was significant, arriving during Liverpool’s best spell of the match after Conor Bradley drove through Fulham’s midfield. The 22-year-old finished calmly, and his impact was clear despite being on the pitch for just 76 minutes.
His display also fits a growing pattern, with Wirtz now posting two goals and one assist across his last four starts.
Slot keeps perspective
Arne Slot was keen to look beyond the controversy after the match, choosing not to dwell on the VAR debate.
“I’d love us to create more,” the Liverpool head coach said, “but when you’re up against a 5-4-1 away from home and playing with the midfield balance we had, it’s difficult to expect constant chances.”
The 47-year-old stressed that his footballing philosophy remains unchanged, even if circumstances require adjustment.
“My ideas haven’t shifted,” Slot added. “We just have to work with the players who are available.”
Fitness management was also a factor, with Wirtz’s minutes carefully controlled following recent scans. Slot addressed that alongside Hugo Ekitike’s workload after the game.
Curtis Jones summed up the mood in the dressing room, admitting it was “tough to take” after Liverpool showed greater fight in the second half.
While Fulham fans may remain unconvinced by the BBC’s explanation, Liverpool’s focus will be on converting dominance into consistency as more demanding fixtures loom.
