The highly anticipated Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed due to the severe weather conditions brought on by Storm Darragh, which has resulted in dangerous winds and heavy rainfall across the region. The match was originally scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. U.K. time, but Everton announced the cancellation following a morning meeting with officials from both clubs, Merseyside Police, and the Liverpool City Council.
The Met Office reported that certain areas in Wales experienced wind gusts exceeding 90 mph. They warned that Storm Darragh would continue to produce strong and potentially damaging winds throughout the day along with persistent heavy rain.
Despite the postponement of this match, other Premier League games scheduled for Saturday will proceed as planned. Among the matches still on are Manchester United’s home game against Nottingham Forest at 5:30 p.m. and the afternoon fixtures, which include Aston Villa hosting Southampton. Teams have advised supporters to allow extra travel time due to the poor weather conditions.
According to Steve Willington, the chief meteorologist at Met Office, the storm is expected to weaken by late morning as it moves across the UK, providing hope that conditions will improve throughout the day.
Both clubs released similar statements regarding the decision to postpone the match, emphasizing safety considerations in light of the amber severe wind warning still in effect until early Sunday morning. The Premier League has indicated that details regarding the rescheduling of the match will be provided at a later date.
In summary, while fans were eager for the derby, safety remains a priority amid challenging weather conditions, and hope remains that fans can enjoy the fixtures that are still set to take place.