Everton vs Liverpool CALLED OFF Hours Before Kick-Off Amid Safety Concerns
Storm Darragh Forces Postponement of Final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park
The highly anticipated Premier League Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, set to be the last league match at Goodison Park, has been postponed just hours before kick-off.
The decision comes in response to safety concerns over Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring extreme weather conditions, including winds of up to 90mph. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, describing the storm as potentially life-threatening.
Officials from Everton, Liverpool, Merseyside Police, and Liverpool City Council met on Saturday morning to assess the situation. They unanimously agreed that postponing the match was necessary to ensure public safety.
Everton confirmed the decision in a statement:
“Everton’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for 12.30pm (GMT) today, has been postponed due to the risk to safety in the local area caused by strong wind gusts.”
Liverpool echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the safety of fans, players, and staff remains their top priority.
The Premier League also issued a statement confirming that the match will be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced soon.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/EVELIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#EVELIV</a><br><br>Today’s Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed due to safety concerns caused by the adverse weather conditions.<br><br>The rearrangement of the fixture will be announced in due course.<a href=”https://t.co/qKDCLR0U7a”>https://t.co/qKDCLR0U7a</a></p>— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PLMatchCentre/status/1865324206449127673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The derby isn’t the only sporting event affected by Storm Darragh. Championship fixtures such as Cardiff City vs. Watford and Plymouth Argyle vs. Oxford United were also postponed on Friday. Additionally, horse racing at Aintree, located near Goodison Park, was canceled on Saturday morning.
This postponed derby holds significant sentimental value as it was set to be the final Premier League Merseyside clash at Goodison Park. Starting next season, Everton will play their home games at the newly built Bradley-Moore Dock stadium.
Unless the two teams meet in the FA Cup later this season, this rearranged fixture will be the last time the two Merseyside giants face off at Goodison Park.
Liverpool currently lead the Premier League table, sitting seven points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal. However, this postponed game could allow their closest rivals to close the gap this weekend. Arsenal face Fulham on Sunday, while Chelsea and Spurs battle it out in another derby later that day.
To fans, the postponement is undoubtedly disappointing, but safety remains paramount. Football supporters will now eagerly await news on the new date for this historic derby.
