Everton flooded stadium
Footage of the stadium was widely shared on social media
Footage showing water flowing through Everton's new stadium on Thursday led to concerns from the many of the club's supporters just months ahead of the ground opening - but all wasn't what it seemed.
The Toffees are building a new ground on Liverpool's waterfront and will move away from Goodison Park in the summer of 2025. With a capacity of 52,888, once open the stadium will become the eighth largest in England and will host matches at Euro 2028.
It has cost Everton an estimated £750million and taken three years to build, but there were concerns that it was facing serious problems after videos shared on social media showed water gushing down the stairwells inside one of the stands, as well as down the steps where the seats are themselves.
[
West Ham make decision on Julen Lopetegui as under pressure boss handed second chance](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/west-ham-julen-lopetegui-sack-34258443)
However, Mirror Football understands that there is little reason for alarm at the footage, and Everton are relaxed about the building process, with the new stadium still on track to open for the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
The club stress that the stadium is still under construction and has not yet been fitted with all of the Siphonic drainage required of a top-level football stadium. Siphonic drainage operates at full capacity and sucks water from the roof down the drain at a high velocity. Furthermore, the stadium had actually experienced a similar issue earlier this year after heavy rainfall and there was no lasting damage caused. The club expect to finish all drainage works in the coming weeks as the construction phase of the stadium completes.
Liverpool, along with the rest of the western United Kingdom was battered by Storm Darragh over the course of Thursday.
The fourth named storm of the season, the Met Office issued amber and yellow severe weather warnings for Northern Ireland, south-west Scotland and western parts of England and Wales. Those areas are expected to see gusts of up to 80mph (129km/h), with power cuts, building damage and transport disruption likely.
Those affected by severe flooding after Storm Bert may be concerned by another storm and heavy rain. While the rainfall totals associated with Storm Darragh will not be as high, around 2-3in (50-60mm) of rain is expected in parts of Wales and central and southern Scotland by Saturday lunchtime.
In an update issued earlier this week, Everton revealed a new SIS hybrid playing surface has been laid, while updates elsewhere include the installation of digital ticketing control panels, as well as further work around the concourse. The Toffees have been battling for their Premier League survival this season.
Sean Dyche's side are only five points above the dropzone but did thump second-bottom Wolves on Wednesday night. Dyche was left delighted with his side's performance as they battered the Midlands team 4-0.
"[There have been] a lot of question marks about what we are trying to achieve here and we had to answer them - I think the players have done," he told BBC Sport.
"It was a good performance, a committed performance. I said in the week to the group that I couldn't be any more proud of these players. They have been through all sorts and they have kept going."
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.