The highly anticipated clash between Everton and Liverpool, originally scheduled to kick off at 12:30 GMT on Saturday, December 7, has been postponed due to extreme weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh.
A statement published on Everton’s website on Saturday confirmed the news under the title, “Everton v Liverpool postponed because of bad weather.”
The derby, intended to open Game Week 14, was called off following an emergency Safety Advisory Group meeting held at Goodison Park earlier that morning. Representatives from both clubs, Liverpool City Council, and Merseyside Police attended the meeting, where strong winds and an amber severe weather warning were cited as key concerns.
The decision to postpone the game was unanimous, prioritizing the safety of everyone involved. Strong gusts and significant travel disruptions overnight solidified the decision, with officials deeming the venue unsafe.
Everton, in their statement, said, “We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding.
“Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff, and players is of paramount importance.
“Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course. All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture.”
Liverpool echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for caution, “We appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, but the safety of fans, staff, and players is of paramount importance.
“Severe weather and high winds have also resulted in severe travel disruption in and around Merseyside.”
The storm has caused chaos across Merseyside, with gale-force winds creating hazardous travel conditions. Fans hoping to attend the game faced major transportation issues, further justifying the decision to delay the fixture.
While a new date for the match is yet to be announced, supporters are advised to keep their tickets, which will remain valid.
For Fantasy Premier League players, the postponement does not alter the 11:00 GMT deadline for finalizing teams. However, the absence of this high-profile fixture may have implications for managers’ strategies.
Beyond football, other sports, including rugby union and horse racing, have also felt the impact of Storm Darragh.
Merseyside Police have warned against non-essential travel while the amber weather alert remains in place until Sunday morning.
This derby was set to be the last at Goodison Park before Everton’s move to their new stadium, adding to the disappointment surrounding the postponement.
However, the safety of fans, players, and staff remains the top priority as the region grapples with the storm’s effects.
