Premier League release new angle as VAR forced to intervene in Fulham vs Liverpool

Harry Wilson's goal for Fulham against Liverpool at Craven Cottage was initially ruled out for offside before the VAR check showed the midfielder was onside

The Premier League have clarified why VAR was overturned the on-field decision of offside against Harry Wilson. The Fulham midfielder put his side 1-0 up against Liverpool on Sunday, only for his strike to be ruled out by the linesman's flag.

Wilson was played in behind the Liverpool defence by Raul Jimenez's flicked pass. He raced beyond Ryan Gravenberch and blasted his finish across Alisson Becker and into the bottom corner.

However, his celebrations - and those of the Craven Cottage crowd - were cut short by the offside flag. Replays showed that Wilson was very close to being level with Virgil van Dijk, the last defender.

And after a VAR check in Stockley Park, the goal was given. In a statement on X, the Premier League match centre said: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and established that Wilson was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded."

Van Dijk was shown to be playing Wilson narrowly onside as the Welshman timed his run in behind the defence to perfection.

"For Liverpool there is a slight question mark now," ex-Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said on 5 Live. "They were beaten by a ball played in behind when they were slightly high up the pitch and they were punished, so now there is a feel that we can't get beaten by another ball in behind like that.

"They've dropped deeper and Fulham having scored the goal are full if confidence and on the front foot."

Fulham's fast start came after the Premier League game was delayed due to a medical emergency in the crowd at Craven Cottage. Kick-off was pushed back from 3pm to 3.15pm on Sunday.

Liverpool came into the game without striker Hugo Ekitike, who was withdrawn from the squad due to a minor fitness issue. "Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now, and that has meant Hugo has had to play more minutes than he did throughout the whole season," manager Arne Slot said. "That has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury because we had to play him more and more minutes.

"For a player that is his age and is not used to the Premier League completely, that has been a bit too much. That is why he is out today and hopefully will be back for the Arsenal game, but that is not sure yet."

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