Liverpool's Florian Wirtz has made a startling admission about his controversial goal in the Reds' dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, 5th January 2026.
The Controversial Equaliser
With Liverpool trailing 1-0 to a first-half strike from Harry Wilson, German international Florian Wirtz appeared to pull his side level just before the hour mark. However, the assistant referee immediately raised his flag for offside after Conor Bradley's pass, seemingly cutting short the celebrations.
Despite replays suggesting Wirtz was in an offside position, a subsequent Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review overturned the on-field decision and awarded the goal. The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has now revealed his own initial certainty that the effort should not have stood.
Wirtz's Candid Reaction
"I was sure it was offside so I didn't even celebrate," Wirtz confessed after the match. "I was happy that I scored but I'd rather take the three points." His honesty highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of VAR technology in the Premier League.
The player's frustration was compounded by the final result. Liverpool thought they had secured a late victory when Cody Gakpo scored in the 94th minute, only for Fulham's Harrison Reed to unleash a spectacular 30-yard strike into the top corner three minutes later to snatch a point for the hosts.
Frustration for Slot's Liverpool
"Not satisfied at all," was Wirtz's blunt assessment of the draw. "We need points and we wanted three points today. We know there's no easy game in this league." He praised the team's improved second-half intensity but lamented the concession of another late goal.
Reds manager Arne Slot echoed the disappointment, reflecting on a recurring theme this season. "It is not for the first time this season that we have conceded in the final seconds of the game," Slot stated. "So many points have disappeared for us."
Slot acknowledged Reed's strike was "an incredible shot" but expressed frustration at the circumstances leading to it, following a Fulham short throw-in. He pointed to positives in the second-half performance, which included two disallowed goals and hitting the bar, but insisted the team only had themselves to blame for not seeing out the game.
"Every time it's just not enough," Slot added. "We relied on the whole season on good and bad luck and that is something we have to improve. We have to improve so a shot in the last minute does not immediately lead to us losing points."
