LIVERPOOL, England — The much-anticipated Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed due to the severe weather conditions brought on by Storm Darragh, which has impacted the west coast with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Originally set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. UK time, the match won’t proceed after Everton confirmed the decision in the morning. The Met Office reported gusts exceeding 90 mph in parts of Wales, indicating the extent of the storm’s impact.
“Storm Darragh continues to bring strong and potentially damaging winds this afternoon, alongside persistent heavy rain,” the Met Office communicated through social media.
Despite the postponement of the Merseyside derby, the rest of Saturday’s Premier League matches are still scheduled to continue. Notably, Manchester United is set to welcome Nottingham Forest at 5:30 p.m. local time at Old Trafford, roughly 30 miles east of Liverpool. United assured its fans of continued consultations with local authorities regarding the situation.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa has advised fans attending their match against Southampton to allow extra time for their journeys due to adverse weather conditions affecting travel throughout the country. “Please take extra care and stay safe,” the club advised.
Further south, Brentford and Crystal Palace are maintaining their fixtures, with both clubs urging fans to travel cautiously and plan ahead. “Today’s match is still scheduled to go ahead despite the bad weather,” Brentford stated.
According to Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington, there is hope as the storm is expected to ease later in the day, with the strongest winds subsiding as it crosses the UK.
Both Everton and Liverpool released similar statements regarding the postponement. Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting that included representatives from both clubs and local authorities, it was concluded that safety concerns due to wind gusts warranted postponing the match, with an amber severe wind warning in effect until early Sunday morning.
The Premier League has confirmed that details about rescheduling the fixture will be announced in the near future.
This situation underscores the commitment of both clubs and authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of fans and players, encouraging a sense of community resilience during challenging weather conditions. As the storm passes, there is optimism that future matches can proceed safely and joyfully for fans.