Controversial VAR Moment in Fulham-Liverpool Game Prompts Premier League Statement

Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed delivered what could easily be called the Premier League’s goal of the season in the dying moments of the Londoners’ 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Meanwhile, the league released an explanation for why Florian Wirtz’s controversial equaliser was allowed to stand—a decision that has drawn criticism from Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool, under Arne Slot, traveled to London in search of three points but fell behind when Fulham’s Harry Wilson opened the scoring. Wirtz restored parity with a confident strike, and Gody Gakpo then appeared to score the winner, only to pick up a yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration.

However, Reed had the final word, scoring his first goal since April 2023 with a thunderous strike into the top-right corner. The Southampton academy graduate’s last-gasp effort secured Fulham a point and moved them to 11th in the table, six points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.

The 30-year-old, who had come on for Sasa Lukic in the 90th minute, collected the ball in the 97th minute. Fans at Craven Cottage thought the shot was unlikely from that distance, but Reed unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike from outside the box that left veteran keeper Alisson Becker helpless.

Having made over 200 appearances for Fulham since joining from Southampton in 2020, Reed has become known for his work rate and occasional game-changing goals. Though he has only scored three times for the club, his 13 assists underline his influence in the final third. This latest strike, however, will be remembered as one of the finest moments in the club’s history.

Aside from Reed’s brilliance, Wirtz’s 57th-minute goal sparked debate. Initially ruled out for offside, Liverpool’s No.7 had finished neatly after a pass from Conor Bradley. Following a VAR review, the decision was overturned as Fulham’s Issa Diop was judged to have kept Wirtz onside. The Premier League explained on X (formerly Twitter):

“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.”
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher, however, disagreed: “I know sometimes the angles can fool you, but with the penalty spot to reference, I just can’t believe this has been given.”

After sharing the points with Marco Silva’s side, Slot’s Liverpool now face a tough trip to league leaders Arsenal, followed by two home fixtures against Barnsley in the FA Cup and Burnley in the Premier League.