The highly anticipated Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, scheduled to take place at Goodison Park, has been postponed due to severe weather conditions brought on by Storm Darragh. The decision to delay the match was made following an amber weather warning for strong winds, which was issued for the Merseyside area early Saturday morning.
As winds were forecasted to reach up to 70 mph, the safety of fans, players, and staff became a primary concern. After a meeting that included officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council, it was determined that proceeding with the game would pose an unacceptable risk.
In a statement released by Everton, the club expressed regret over the postponement, acknowledging the disappointment it would bring to supporters. The statement emphasized the importance of safety, noting, "Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff, and players is of paramount importance."
The discussions leading to the decision took place on Saturday morning, where the potential dangers of travel to the stadium were scrutinized. Consequently, it was decided that the match could not go ahead as scheduled. The fixture, initially set to kick off at 12:30 PM (GMT), will now be rescheduled, likely as a night game later in the season.
Everton's statement highlighted the collaborative nature of the decision-making process: "Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council this morning, it was decided that, due to the risk to safety in the local area due to strong wind gusts, and an amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6 a.m. on Sunday, today’s fixture should be postponed on safety grounds."
Storm Darragh has significantly impacted weather conditions across the UK, with the Met Office reporting wind gusts exceeding 90 mph in some areas, particularly affecting parts of Wales. The office warned that the storm was continuing to bring strong winds, prompting red, amber, and yellow weather warnings across various regions.
Both Everton and Liverpool released nearly identical statements regarding the postponement, reiterating their commitment to safety and expressing gratitude for the understanding of their supporters. They stated, "We apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding."
Looking ahead, the Premier League has confirmed that details regarding the rearrangement of the fixture will be announced in due course. If Liverpool manages to finish in the top eight of the Champions League's league phase and advances to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup by defeating Southampton, the earliest potential date for the rescheduled match could be in mid-February. There are available midweek slots on February 10/11 and 18/19, coinciding with the Champions League playoff round.
The postponement represents a setback for both teams, particularly for Liverpool, who are currently leading the league and were looking to maintain their momentum. Further updates will be provided by Liverpool as the situation develops.
Zainab Y.
Also on site :
- Cavs at Heat Game 4 - Cavs deliver historic beat down (138-83)
- Arsenal vs PSG: Preview, Lineups & Broadcast
- Barcelona vs. Inter Milan: Preview & Prediction