Saturday’s Premier League fixture between Everton and Liverpool has been called off due to safety concerns.
The decision follows mass disruption caused by Storm Darragh. An amber weather warning was issued on Merseyside on Saturday morning.
The decision to postpone the fixture, the final Premier League Merseyside derby to take place at Goodison Park, was taken by authorities and not the two clubs.
Club officials, Merseyside Police and representatives from Liverpool City Council attended a safety advisory meeting on Saturday morning, where the postponement was deemed necessary “due to the risk to safety in the local area”
An Everton statement read: “Everton’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for 12.30pm (GMT) today, Saturday 7 December 7, has been postponed.
“Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council this morning, it was decided that, due to the risk to safety in the local area due to strong wind gusts, and an amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today’s fixture should be postponed on safety grounds.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance.”
The game is the first Premier League fixture to be postponed due to Storm Darragh, with the Championship matches between Cardiff City and Watford, and Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United both called off on Friday.
Barring any meeting in the FA Cup, the postponed fixture will be the final Merseyside derby to take place at Goodison Park, as Everton prepare to move to their new Bradley-Moore Dock stadium next season.
Liverpool are top of the Premier League after winning 11 of their opening 14 top-flight matches under Arne Slot. They lead second place Chelsea and third place Arsenal by seven points, but that lead could be cut to four by the end of the weekend should Enzo Maresca’s side beat Tottenham Hotspur or Mikel Arteta’s side win at Fulham.
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