The first game of the Premier League weekend was postponed on Saturday when Everton’s visit from Liverpool was called off.
The match will be the final Merseyside derby at Everton’s Goodison Park, which hosted the first edition of the fixture 130 years ago.
Liverpool started the weekend seven points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea at the top of the table after drawing 3-3 at Newcastle three days earlier, while Everton were five points above the relegation zone in 15th after winning 4-0 at home to Wolves on the same evening.
Here’s what we know about the rescheduling of the 245th meeting between the teams, including the dates when it could take place.
Today’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
Full details to follow. pic.twitter.com/ikF8iJRTGs
— Everton (@Everton) December 7, 2024
When will Everton vs Liverpool take place?
The most obvious window in which the game could take place is the first midweek in January, when both sides do not have a fixture.
That is less than four weeks away, though, which could give the parties involved in the decision to postpone the match – Merseyside Police, Merseyside City Council and the two clubs – too little time to plan and execute the considerable matchday operation required.
The weeks beginning February 3 and 17 are also options, although those are likely to depend on how Liverpool progress in cup competitions.
The week of April 21 is a later alternative, which would increase the chances of the game proving crucial to either sides’ fates this season.
Should the rest of the schedule go to plan, there will only be five league matches remaining after that date. In particular, Liverpool fans have cause to hope that they will be competing for honours at that stage, given their start to the season.
One final trip to Goodison in the @premierleague ✊🔴 pic.twitter.com/sjD0ivaBw9
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 6, 2024
Why was Everton vs Liverpool called off?
With Storm Darragh hitting the UK, an amber weather warning issued until 6am GMT on Sunday and winds of up to 70 mph, authorities decided the safety risk was too great for the expected attendance of almost 40,000 fans.
“There are discussions ongoing – the Premier League will get involved, as well – as to when this can be played,” said BBC Radio Merseyside’s Giulia Bould, speaking on Football Focus.
“We know that Liverpool are in the Champions League and [Carabao] Cup, and we’ve got the FA Cup starting for both sides as well [during the second week of January], so the fixture list is going to be crammed.
“I think a lot of Evertonians are hoping that this derby is going to be a final under-the-lights evening at Goodison Park. As of lunchtime, we don’t know when it’s going to be played.”
Crouch, Gerrard and Cisse get us all three points in the derby 💪#EVELIV 2005 ⏪ pic.twitter.com/vUBiV3MpfB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 6, 2024
Everton vs Liverpool new date
Former Everton defender Martin Keown suggested the Toffees would have been keener for the game to go ahead. “With Everton having won so well in midweek and the weather being a great leveller, it would have been a good day to take Liverpool on,” he said.
“Liverpool struggled a bit against Newcastle, who were magnificent in midweek. Everton would have wanted the game on.”
Everton are next in action when they visit Arsenal on December 14 (3pm). Liverpool travel to Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday (5.45pm) and host Fulham four days later (3pm).
Reds midfielder Alexis Mac Allister would have served a one-game suspension against Everton but will now be banned for their match against the Cottagers.
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