Storm Darragh Forces Merseyside Derby Postponement

The Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park has been called off because of Storm Darragh's dangerous conditions.

December 7, 2024
2:23 pm

The much-anticipated Premier League Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, set for Saturday afternoon, has been postponed due to the wild weather from Storm Darragh. This safety-first call means the final league showdown at Goodison Park will need to be rescheduled.

Originally kicking off at 12:30 pm, the match was expected to draw huge attention as Everton gears up to leave Goodison for their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock next season. But with the Met Office issuing amber weather warnings and strong winds posing safety risks, officials had to hit the brakes on the game.

Official Statements

Everton shared the news on social media, saying:
“Today’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park has been postponed due to bad weather.”

They added in an official statement:
“After a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park this morning, with officials from both clubs, Merseyside Police, and Liverpool City Council, it was decided that, due to safety concerns from strong winds and an amber severe wind warning in effect until 6am on Sunday, today’s match should be postponed.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We know this is disappointing for fans, but the safety of everyone is our top priority. We’ll announce a new date for the match soon. All tickets for the original game will still be valid for the rescheduled fixture.”

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Impact Across the UK

Storm Darragh has already caused a stir in the UK’s sports scene. Just up the road from Goodison, Aintree racecourse had to postpone Saturday’s events after some damage to its facilities. In Wales, all football matches have been called off, including Cardiff City’s Championship clash with Watford and Plymouth Argyle’s game against Oxford United.

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for parts of Wales and south-west England, indicating potential danger to life. Wind gusts have hit up to 93 mph in Wales, with heavy rain making things worse. Amber warnings are still in place for western England, Wales, southern Scotland, and much of Northern Ireland.

Rescheduling Challenges

This postponement adds a twist to an already busy December for both clubs. Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, is juggling multiple competitions and was looking to extend their Premier League lead to 10 points this weekend. With fixtures piling up, finding a new date for the Merseyside derby will be a bit tricky for both teams.

Even though fans are bummed, safety is the main focus. Supporters should hang on to their tickets, as they’ll still be good for the rescheduled match, with more updates coming in the next few days.