Fulham and Liverpool legends doubt Wirtz goal decision | OneFootball

Carragher Questions VAR as Wirtz Offside Goal vs Fulham Reignites Debate

Liverpool’s draw away at Fulham will linger in the memory not only for its dramatic conclusion, but for a VAR decision that once again dragged the Premier League’s offside framework into the spotlight. Florian Wirtz’s equaliser, initially ruled out before being awarded following a prolonged review, sparked confusion inside Craven Cottage and disbelief among pundits, most notably Jamie Carragher.

The incident has become a touchstone for wider frustrations around how offside is interpreted in England, particularly when compared with European competitions. While the Premier League insists the decision was correct within its own guidelines, the controversy underlines a growing disconnect between what the technology shows and what the footballing eye instinctively believes.

Wirtz Finish and Immediate Confusion

The goal itself was simple enough. Conor Bradley slid a pass into the penalty area and Wirtz swept the ball past Bernd Leno with minimal fuss. Yet the German’s muted reaction told its own story. Replays suggested he may have strayed beyond the last defender, and the assistant referee initially agreed.

VAR, however, intervened. After checking the frame of the pass and drawing the calibrated lines, officials determined that Wirtz was in an onside position. The goal stood, levelling the match and shifting momentum back towards Liverpool.

Wirtz later admitted he had little confidence in the decision. “I was sure it was offside so I didn’t even celebrate,” he said afterwards. That sense of uncertainty was shared by many watching on, including Carragher in the Sky Sports studio.

Carragher Reaction on Live Analysis

Carragher was forthright as he reviewed the footage, questioning both the conclusion and the logic underpinning it. “He looks offside to me. He looks like he’s further forward,” he said during the broadcast. “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.”

His frustration was not simply about this single incident, but about the erosion of clarity. Carragher has repeatedly argued that offside should be a decision fans can understand in real time, rather than one that requires forensic interpretation.

Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer echoed that sentiment on BBC Radio 5 Live, stating: “Looking at replays of that Liverpool goal, every frame that they stop at it looks offside. It’s a strange one.”

PGMOL Margin for Error Explained

At the heart of the ruling is the Premier League’s interpretation of offside, overseen by PGMOL. Since the 2020/21 season, officials have applied a tolerance level designed to give attackers the benefit of the doubt. Rather than razor-thin lines, a thicker offside line is used, effectively allowing a margin for error of approximately 5cm.

This buffer exists to account for limitations in frame rate, camera angle and the exact moment the ball is played. In practical terms, it means an attacker can appear marginally ahead of a defender and still be deemed onside, provided the overlap falls within that tolerance.

PGMOL has consistently defended this approach, arguing it reduces the likelihood of goals being ruled out for imperceptible differences. However, the trade-off is decisions like the Wirtz offside goal vs Fulham, where the visual evidence appears to contradict the final outcome.

Ongoing Impact on Premier League Credibility

The Wirtz incident is far from isolated. Similar controversies earlier this season have fuelled accusations of inconsistency, particularly when broadcasters draw their own lines and reach different conclusions to the match officials.

Had the same goal been scored in the Champions League, it would almost certainly have been disallowed, as UEFA applies a stricter interpretation with no tolerance buffer. That contrast continues to confuse supporters and players alike, especially those competing across multiple competitions.

For Carragher, the issue is not technology itself, but trust. When decisions repeatedly defy common sense, confidence in the system erodes. The Premier League insists its framework is designed to favour attacking football, yet moments like this suggest the balance between precision and perception remains unresolved.

As Liverpool move on and Fulham reflect on a point gained, the debate rolls forward. VAR, once again, is central to the narrative, and the Wirtz offside goal vs Fulham will be cited whenever discussions turn to margins, meaning and the fine line between fairness and farce.