Liverpool are still due to host Brighton at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, but the weather may yet have other plans.
A detailed view of the STELLAR NITRO™ Ultimate Premier League Reactivity Ball during the Liverpool v AS Monaco Pre-Season friendly match at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 9 August 2026 Credit: Ben Roberts/Every Second Media
A detailed view of the STELLAR NITRO™ Ultimate Premier League Reactivity Ball during the Liverpool v AS Monaco Pre-Season friendly match at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 9 August 2026 Credit: Ben Roberts/Every Second Media
Liverpool are still due to host Brighton at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, but the weather may yet have other plans.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning across Merseyside for Saturday and Sunday as Storm Boelo moves in behind Storm Austen.
Its forecast says gusts of 55 to 65mph are likely to be widespread, with some coastal and exposed areas possibly reaching 70 to 80mph or more. ‘
The strongest winds are expected in Scotland and the far north of England. Very windy conditions are forecast to last through much of Sunday before easing from the southwest.
As things stand, the 2pm kick-off is going ahead. Any decision to call it off would come through the local Safety Advisory Group, which includes both clubs, Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council. The big worry is travel as Brighton fans face a long journey north, and road and rail disruption could make getting there and back unsafe even if the conditions inside Anfield are fine.
Liverpool have been here before.
The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was called off less than four hours before kick-off in December 2024 because of Storm Darragh.
That game was eventually played on a Wednesday night in February, more than two months later. If Sunday’s game is postponed, something similar looks likely, because there is very little room left in either club’s calendar.
Iraola’s side play a Champions League game every few weeks between now and the end of January, with trips to Fenerbahce on 4 November and Club Brugge on 25 November, and Porto at Anfield on 9 December. Brighton’s diary is just as cramped.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side are in the Conference League league phase, with Thursday night games in Getafe, at home to Universitatea Craiova and Monaco, and away at Panathinaikos on 17 December.
The November international break (9 to 17 November) is out too and that leaves the Carabao Cup as the deciding factor.
Liverpool host Chelsea in the fourth round next week, while Brighton travel to Manchester City. The fifth round is in the week of 14 December.
If both sides go out, that midweek opens up on paper. However, Brighton’s trip to Athens two days later would make a Tuesday night at Anfield very awkward.
The more realistic window may be January.
Brighton’s European schedule pauses after the league phase ends, and the Conference League knockout playoffs don’t start until February. Liverpool are away at Inter on 19 January and host Lens on 27 January.
Carabao Cup semi finals take up the weeks of 11 January and 1 February, so a lot depends on who is still in that competition.
A midweek slot in mid or late January, or early February after the semi finals, would fit the precedent set by the Goodison derby.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, and the game may well go ahead. Supporters planning to travel should keep an eye on official club channels and the Met Office forecast before setting off.
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