Everton v Liverpool Premier League clash called off due to bad weather conditions
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Gloomy scenes outside Goodison Park on Dec 7, 2024 after the Everton v Liverpool Premier League game was postponed due to bad weather caused by storm Darragh.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – The English Premier League clash between Everton and Liverpool that was scheduled to be played on Dec 7 was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
The Merseyside derby at the Toffees’ home ground of Goodison Park was the first English top-flight football match to be called off over Storm Darragh.
The decision to postpone the game was taken following a safety advisory group meeting attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside police and Liverpool city council, Everton said in a statement.
“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 6am on Sunday, today’s fixture should be postponed on safety grounds,” the club added.
“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.”
Merseyside police had on Dec 6 advised residents to avoid any non-essential travel until weather conditions improved, so it was not too big a surprise that the match would not go on as planned.
Liverpool also released a statement on the postponement.
“Liverpool FC can confirm today’s Premier League fixture against Everton at Goodison Park, scheduled for a 12.30pm kick-off, has been postponed,” the Reds said.
“This is due to severe weather and high winds, which have also resulted in severe travel disruption in and around Merseyside. Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture, including ticketing, will be announced in due course.”
The match was due to be the last Merseyside Premier League derby at Goodison Park, with Everton moving out of their home since 1892 at the end of the season to their gleaming new waterfront 52,000-capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
Liverpool are leading the Premier League by seven points over Chelsea and Arsenal after 14 games. They were hoping to get back to winning ways after dropping points in a 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Dec 4.
With no match this weekend, they could see the gap being cut down to just four points on Dec 8 when the London teams are both in action in derbies – Chelsea travel to Tottenham Hotspur while Arsenal take on Fulham away.
Two second-tier Championship fixtures set for Dec 7 (Plymouth Argyle v Oxford United and Cardiff City v Watford) were also postponed on Dec 6.
The UK’s weather agency issued a rare red alert for high winds on the same day, as the government warned three million Britons to brace themselves for the impact of Storm Darragh.
Red is the most serious warning that the meteorologists can issue and it is used “relatively infrequently”, according to the Met Office. The alert covers parts of Wales and the south-west of England, although Liverpool is in the north-west of the country.
The Met Office also warned of “damaging winds”, with gusts of 145kmh possible over coastal and hilly areas.
Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, is also expected to bring heavy rain, with more than 100 flood warnings and alerts in place across Britain.
Liverpool next visit Girona for a Champions League clash on Dec 10, while Everton continue their league campaign at Arsenal on Dec 14. REUTERS, AFP
