Prominent football pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have voiced strong disagreement with the Video Assistant Referee's decision to award Liverpool's contentious equaliser against Fulham on Sunday. The goal, scored by Florian Wirtz, was initially ruled out for offside before being overturned by the Premier League's semi-automated technology, sparking a major debate.
The Controversial Craven Cottage Incident
The pivotal moment occurred during Liverpool's Premier League clash at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Sunday, 5th January 2026. With the Reds trailing 1-0, German midfielder Florian Wirtz was played through by Conor Bradley and slotted the ball home. The assistant referee's flag was immediately raised for offside, seemingly disallowing the goal.
However, after a brief consultation, VAR officials instructed the on-field referee that the semi-automated offside technology had shown Wirtz to be onside. The goal was subsequently awarded, making the score 1-1. This intervention proved crucial in the final outcome, as the match eventually ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw after a late Harrison Reed thunderbolt cancelled out Cody Gakpo's 94th-minute strike for Liverpool.
Pundits Unite in Criticism of VAR Decision
Despite the technology's verdict, a host of former professionals and analysts have expressed serious doubts. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Alan Shearer stated his belief that the goal should not have stood. "In football, you are talking fine margins," Shearer began. "Fine margins helped them get the Wirtz goal because, looking at that, I thought it was offside."
Gary Lineker echoed his co-host's scepticism, questioning the reliability of the system. "That was bizarre, wasn't it?" Lineker replied. "The line on the pitch was exact… maybe the line was a bit [skewed], I don't know, because they've got this automated thing that we're trying to trust."
Their views were supported by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who was covering the match live for Sky Sports. "He looks offside to me," Carragher admitted. "He looks like he's further forward. 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."
Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer also concurred during his analysis for BBC Radio 5 Live, remarking: "Looking at replays of that Liverpool goal, every frame that they stop at it looks offside. It's a strange one."
Wirtz's Own Admission and Gakpo's Disappointment
Adding further intrigue to the incident, goalscorer Florian Wirtz himself confessed post-match that he was convinced the effort would be chalked off. "I was sure it was offside so I didn't even celebrate," the German international revealed. "I was happy that I scored but I'd rather take the three points."
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, who thought his 94th-minute goal had won the game, expressed his frustration at the late concession. "Yes that's true, I thought that [his goal was the winner]," Gakpo told Match of the Day. "The moment I sat down on the bench they scored. It's disappointing for us."
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the implementation and accuracy of VAR and semi-automated offside technology in the Premier League. While designed to eliminate human error, this incident shows that even automated systems can produce decisions that leave experts, players, and fans divided, ensuring the technology remains under intense scrutiny.
