Liverpool's Florian Wirtz confessed to being as stunned as everyone else when his contentious equaliser against Fulham was allowed to stand, with a little-known VAR protocol providing the explanation for a decision that left pundits and supporters scratching their heads.
The Moment of Confusion at Craven Cottage
The incident occurred in the 57th minute of Sunday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage, with the score at 1-0 to the hosts. Wirtz, Liverpool's £118 million summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, found the net after a smart pass from Conor Bradley, only to immediately see the assistant referee's flag raised for offside.
The German midfielder was so convinced the decision was correct that he refused to celebrate. "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," Wirtz told Sky Sports after the eventual 2-2 draw.
VAR's Margin of Error: The Five-Centimetre Rule
Following a lengthy review, the Video Assistant Referee system overturned the on-field decision and awarded the goal. The reason lies in a specific tolerance level built into the Premier League's semi-automated offside technology.
Unlike in competitions such as the Champions League, where offside is measured to the millimetre, the Premier League's system operates with a margin of error of up to five centimetres – roughly the width of the green line displayed during broadcasts. Wirtz's position was deemed to be within this tolerance zone, meaning he was considered level, and the goal was given.
This technicality failed to convince many observers. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher summed up the widespread bewilderment during his post-match analysis: "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."
Late Drama Seals a Share of the Spoils
The match featured significant drama beyond the controversial equaliser. Fulham had taken a first-half lead through Harry Wilson. After Wirtz's leveller, Cody Gakpo thought he had won it for Liverpool with a stoppage-time goal, only for Harrison Reed to thunder in a spectacular last-gasp equaliser for the Cottagers deep into added time.
The result had implications for both sides' league positions. Liverpool solidified their place in the top four, while Fulham moved up to 11th, extending their unbeaten run to five matches.
Wirtz reflected on a challenging game, stating, "We know there's no easy game in this league. The intensity we brought on the pitch in the second half was much better." The debate over his goal, however, is likely to continue long after the final whistle.
