Everton Vs Liverpool: Hurricane Darragh Delays Derby Merseyside

JAKARTA - The Premier League match titled Derby Merseyside between Everton vs Liverpool at Goodison Park has been postponed due to bad weather conditions on Merseyside.

The other four Premier League matches on Saturday, December 7, 2024, local time, are still going as planned.

The last Merseyside Derby league in Goodison-- before Everton moved to a new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock--is scheduled to start at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024, local time.

However, it has now been confirmed that the match will not be held due to the impact of Hurricane Darragh, with strong winds estimated at 70 mph (miles per hour) in the region.

Talks between the two clubs and local authorities took place on Saturday morning, with concerns over the safety of supporters traveling to Goodison led to a decision to postpone the match.

The match is now likely to be rescheduled into a night game at the end of the season.

"After a Security Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park, which was attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from the Merseyside Police and the Liverpool City Council this morning, it was decided that due to risks to safety in the local area due to strong winds and strong winds warnings that were in effect until 6 a.m. on Sunday (December 8, 2024), today's match had to be postponed for safety reasons."

"We apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank the supporters for their understanding."

"While we are aware that this will be very disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is the most important thing."

"Information related to changes to the date of the match will be announced in due course."

"All tickets purchased for the original match will remain in place for the game being changed," reads Everton's official statement.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are seven points clear at the top of the 2024/2025 Premier League standings from closest competitors, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The advantage will be cut to four points if Chelsea and Arsenal win over Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

The remaining matches start at 3 pm local time. Aston Villa host Southampton and urge fans to use extra time to get to Villa Park.

In London, Brentford will host Newcastle, and Crystal Palace will host Manchester City.

Brentford and Palace both said their matches would be played.

"Today's game is still scheduled despite bad weather. Please travel safely, plan it early, and provide additional time for your trip," Brentford said in a statement.

"The Darragh storm is expected to gradually subside after crossing the UK. Thus, strong winds in the west will begin to decrease until Saturday," said Head of the Meteorological Office, Steve Willington.