Florian Wirtz Finds Out Equaliser Went Down as Own Goal in Post-Match Interview

Florian Wirtz was cruelly denied his first Premier League goal on Wednesday night after Liverpool’s 81st-minute equaliser against Sunderland was chalked down as an own goal.

Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could reach £116 million with add-ons, looked poised to break his duck after going 17 league games without a goal.

With nine minutes of normal time remaining, the German received a pass from Curtis Jones before going on a mazy run in the penalty box.

Then, after wrong-footing Sunderland's Dan Ballard with a great touch, it looked like Wirtz had scored his first Premier League goal. Even the Sky commentary team thought he'd found the net.

But a short time later, the Premier League issued an update regarding the goal. It read: "The goal accreditation panel has adjudged Liverpool’s 81st minute goal as a Mukiele own goal."

Wirtz thought he had opened his account for Liverpool but after the full-time whistle, a reporter from Sky informed the German international that the equaliser had gone down as an own goal.

Wirtz was denied his first Premier League goal. Image credit: Sky Sports

It was a slightly awkward moment, but after a brief pause, Wirtz composed himself as he stood alongside Curtis Jones. "It doesn't matter for me," he said. "We draw. We wanted to win. That's what counts today. Unlucky."

Jones looked devastated for his teammate and repeated that it was disappointing that the goal was not given to Wirtz. "Flo is a guy who wants the ball a lot," said Jones. "He ran so much. It's just a shame it goes down as an own goal."

You can see that moment below.

Speaking in the post-match interview, Wirtz gave an insight into his start to life at Liverpool.

“First of all, I was very welcomed by the team. It’s a very good team and I’m very happy to be here," he said. "Of course, the last weeks have been difficult for us as a team, but we are on a good way to come back."

"We are doing everything to comeback and win games," he added. "We wanted the win today. We want to be on top of the table, we just have to continue and work hard. Hopefully things can change."

Liverpool currently sit eighth in the Premier League table with seven wins from a possible 14. They will face Leeds on Saturday afternoon.