Controversial Goal Sparks Debate in Premier League Match

omidbasir- The recent match saw significant controversy surrounding Wirtz’s goal, particularly due to an extended VAR review before the visitors equalized just before the hour mark. Remarkably, the former Bayer Leverkusen star refrained from celebrating, confident that the goal would ultimately be disallowed.

In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated, “I was sure it was offside, so I didn’t even celebrate. I was happy to have scored, but I would rather secure the three points. We understand that no game in this league is straightforward. The intensity we brought in the second half was noticeably improved. Our pressing in the first half was lacking, but we performed much better in the second half.”

Post-match, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher expressed his bewilderment, struggling to comprehend how Wirtz’s goal was allowed to stand. “I know angles can sometimes be deceptive, but considering we have the penalty spot for reference, I can hardly believe that decision,” he remarked.

In the Premier League, there remains a margin for error within the semi-automated offside system. Unlike the Champions League, where offside decisions are determined to the millimeter, the Premier League’s VAR operates with a tolerance of up to five centimeters, effectively the width of the green line. Consequently, Wirtz was credited with the goal as his foot fell within this margin for error.

Fulham manager Marco Silva commented that Wirtz’s goal appeared to be a “clear offside,” but lamented that there was little they could do about it. He believed his team deserved at least a point from the match. He noted, “It was a moment when we lost possession. We created many connections, and our midfield positioning needs to be more cautious. It looked like a clear offside, but the linesman awarded the goal. We took a bit of time to respond. The players are doing their utmost for the club. Harrison Reed may not be getting as many minutes as he would like, but he is urging his teammates to push forward. I am very proud of him; he truly deserves this moment.”

Looking ahead, Liverpool faces a challenging away match against league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday.

Regarding the draw, Liverpool manager Arne Slot reflected, “In an away game, scoring two goals should typically be enough to secure a win. This season is not the first time we’ve fought hard only to concede a remarkable strike that costs us points. We brought in Joe Gomez, but they executed a quick play. We missed out on a favorable result. We had our chances in the first half.

“We encountered a similar situation with Cody Gakpo’s goal. Ideally, we envision a dominant Liverpool team that creates more opportunities. We scored two goals, had two disallowed goals, and hit the bar. Yet again, it was not sufficient.

“The players are giving everything they have. I must ensure their availability. With Alexander Isak sidelined, I need to either overload or field Hugo, who is yet to play in the Premier League. It’s essential to manage our resources. We still have 11 capable players on the pitch. It’s a common challenge; many teams struggle to create chances consistently. While our performance isn’t perfect, we at least managed to create a few more opportunities than we did last week.”