Liverpool's Merseyside derby at Everton has been called off but that could mean a new problem for Arne Slot and his players
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Not for the first time this week, Liverpool have been frustrated in their attempts to fortify their lead at the Premier League summit. As the Reds trudged from the St James' Park turf on Wednesday evening, the disappointment at allowing a hard-earned victory to slip through their fingers during the closing moments would have been allied with a determination to get back on the horse as soon as possible.
The effects of Storm Darragh have put paid to that, with the final Goodison league derby against Everton having sensibly been called off several hours before the scheduled Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Having seen their nine-point lead reduced to seven at Newcastle United, there's a distinct possibility it could be just four by the time Liverpool are next in Premier League action at home to Fulham next Saturday.
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In terms of the present, though, the postponement could be seen as something of a blessing in disguise given the manner in which several players appeared jaded in midweek after their efforts in beating both Real Madrid and Manchester City over the previous week. A hard-fought derby in difficult conditions wouldn't have been the ideal environment to overcome the setback on Tyneside.
Instead, Arne Slot's players are given an unexpected breather from an increasingly intense schedule, a chance to recharge batteries briefly ahead of a run of seven games in 27 days.
This isn't the first time a Merseyside derby has been postponed due to inclement weather in the Premier League era. Back in October 1996, an Anfield clash was called off just 55 minutes before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch following heavy rain in the area.
And explaining the decision to postpone Saturday's game, a Liverpool statement said: "Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting this morning at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council, it was decided that due to the risk to safety in the local area, and the amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today’s match is postponed on safety grounds.
"We appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, but the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance.
"Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture, including ticketing, will be announced in due course."
The last sentence points to a possible problem for Slot and his players. While a later rearrangement of the match means Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa - who were all expected to miss out on Saturday - could be available and Alexis Mac Allister will have served his current suspension in a home game rather than a tough away fixture, the new date for the game will mean a significant shift in the atmosphere.
Few could argue that night games at any stadium are more atmospheric than those played at lunchtime. And it's now almost certain the final Goodison derby will be played on a midweek evening, prompting a repeat of the volatile atmosphere that helped Everton land a major blow to Liverpool's title challenge last April with a 2-0 win on a Wednesday night.
And the deeper into the season the fixture is arranged, the more significant it could prove both at the top and bottom of the table, although Everton haven't quite been concerned with relegation this season as much as in recent campaigns.
One thing, though, is for certain. The postponement of Saturday's game has served only to ramp up further the anticipation for the 106th and final Merseyside derby at Goodison.