Exclusive: Ex-refs chief sheds new light on Liverpool-Fulham offside controversy

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Published on:

04 Jan 2026, 2:04 pm

Florian Wirtz's goal against Fulham was not without controversy following a long wait for a decision from VAR.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider his verdict on VAR's intervention on Wirtz's goal.

Harrison Reed netted an equaliser in added time as Fulham held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

Cody Gakpo thought he had won the game for Liverpool just minutes earlier, after Wirtz had cancelled out Harry Wilson's first half opener.

Florian Wirtz in action for Liverpool against Athletic Bilbao in a pre-season friendly

(Credit: Imago)

Former PGMOL chief questions semi-automated offside technology

Wirtz's goal was initially ruled out, when the linesman raised his flag for offside, but a lengthy check from VAR established that the German was onside.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider on the incident, Hackett said: "The Premier League are operating with a hybrid semi-automated system, not the one used by UEFA and FIFA which operates with the Adidas chip in the ball.

"I am not convinced that the semi-automated offside operating in the Premier League has the same threshold of accuracy that the Hawkeye Goal Line technology delivers."

#FULLIV – 57’ VAR OVERTURN

VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and established that Wirtz was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. pic.twitter.com/AA3eq6pT9j
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) January 4, 2026

Mark Schwarzer surprised by VAR verdict

Speaking to BBC Sport, former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believed Wirtz's goal was "definitely offside" before VAR's intervention.

Schwarzer added: "Without the technology it still looked offside, and looking at the graphics it's so, so tight."

The goal was a crucial point in the game with Liverpool equalising 12 minutes into the second half, in what was Wirtz's third Premier League goal in four games.

Fulham

Liverpool FC