The final Premier League Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool to take place at Goodison Park has been called off hours before kick-off.
The match has been postponed due to safety fears surrounding Storm Darragh, which is set to cause major disruption to the UK’s sporting schedule on Saturday.
The Met Office has warned that winds of 90mph (144kmph) could batter the UK, weather which has been classed as potentially life-threatening.
That has led the the derby being called off, with a rearranged date for the match to be decided at a later time.
Officials from Everton and Premier League leaders Liverpool, Merseyside Police and representatives from Liverpool City Council attended a meeting on Saturday morning, where the postponement was deemed necessary “due to the risk to safety in the local area”.
Everton confirmed the match has been called out with an official statement on social media. Everton’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for 12.30pm (GMT) today, Saturday 7 December 7, has been postponed,” read the statement.
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 6am on Sunday, today’s fixture should be postponed on safety grounds.
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.
The match is the first Premier League fixture to be postponed due to Storm Darragh, although a number of other major sporting events have already been called off.The Championship matches between Cardiff City and Watford, and Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United, were both called off on Friday.
Meanwhile, racing at Aintree just a few miles from Goodison Park was also called off on Saturday morning, shortly before the derby was postponed.Barring any potential meeting in the FA Cup later this season, the postponed fixture will be the final Merseyside derby to take place at Goodison Park – with Everton moving to their new Bradley-Moore Dock stadium next season.
Liverpool are currently seven points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League but could now see that lead cut to just four points this weekend.Arsenal travel to Fulham on Sunday, while Spurs host Chelsea in another London derby later that afternoon.
