Everton's clash with Liverpool at Goodison Park has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The match, due to kick-off live on TNT Sports at 12.30pm, will now not go ahead over concerns after Storm Darragh battered the west coast of England and Wales overnight and into Saturday morning.
The arrival of Darragh brought with it an amber weather warning from the Met Office, with the forecaster predicting Merseyside could be hit by gusts reaching up to 70mph in inland areas. This, alongside severe downpours and the fact that Merseyside police has advised against non-essential travel during the worst of the weather, has impacted to the game being postponed to a later date.
Everton said in a statement: "Everton’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for 12.30pm (GMT) today, Saturday 7 December, 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.
"Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course. All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture."
As well as the Merseyside derby, a number of other football fixtures have been hit by the weather. Cardiff City's clash with Watford in the Championship is off, while Plymouth Argyle's game against Watford has also been postponed due to Darragh, with all games in Wales not going ahead.
Arsenal and Chelsea can both now move to within four points of leaders Liverpool with victories in their respective matches this weekend. The Gunners face Fulham on Sunday looking for their fourth successive league win, while Enzo Maresca takes his Blues side to Tottenham aiming for the same return.
Manchester City, meanwhile, returned to winning ways against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and can go to within six of Liverpool with a win at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.