It is the news that Evertonians will not have wanted to wake up to on Saturday morning hearing the Merseyside Derby was postponed.
Early on Saturday, it was announced Everton vs Liverpool was postponed due to the effects of Storm Darragh.
Winds battered Merseyside overnight and through the morning with the safety of all involved taking priority.
Despite Everton and Liverpool releasing statements on Friday night which suggested the game was going ahead, the decision was taken just hours before kick off.
Everton were coming into the derby on the back of their best showing of the season against Wolves.
However, the postponement may actually be good news for the Toffees in the long run.
Sean Dyche, Manager of Everton, looks on as he speaks to the media prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers...
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
The Friedkin Group could have Everton takeover sealed
Given there will now be a wait to find out when the game will be rescheduled for, Everton could see some major change in the meantime.
The Friedkin Group are nearing completion in taking over Everton from Farhad Moshiri and that could well be sealed by the time the game is played.
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It is believed The Friedkin’s could have the keys to Goodison Park before Christmas after well over a year of takeover sagas.
Big changes could be on the way under the prospective new ownership with The Friedkin’s already planning structural change at Everton.
Not only will this provide much-needed change off the pitch but it will also provide the Everton fans with a huge boost for the rest of the campaign.
Everton could have Tim Iroegbunam and others back from injury
The 2024/25 campaign has already provided the Toffees with a number of injury issues which Sean Dyche has had to manage.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s fitness has been a concern to Dyche with the Everton boss missing his central defender for the majority of the season.
However, seeing the Merseyside Derby rescheduled could see Everton face their city rivals with an even stronger squad.
Tim Iroegbunam continues to work on his rehabilitation as Dyche admitted in Friday’s press conference there were no major updates for the derby.
“Couple of knocks [from Wolves win] but nothing serious. Nothing that we think is going to put anyone out. Michael Keane will be touch and go coming back into it – he’s got a minor knee ligament injury which has kept him out,” said Dyche.
“Youssef Chermiti is getting stronger, but not there and Tim is a bit way off and so is James Garner, but they’re in the process of getting back fit.”
The Friedkin’s could sack Sean Dyche and appoint new manager
This may prove a divisive one, but Dyche has received a lot of criticism from Everton fans already this season.
However, Dyche has maintained the backing of Moshiri amid the struggles and the takeover sagas.
That may not prove to be the case when The Friedkin Group get their hands on the club.
Sergio Conceicao is being eyed for Everton by the Friedkins as a potential successor to Dyche if they are to make a decision.
The prospect of a new manager bounce on Merseyside could well put Everton in better stead to take on the league leaders.