Liverpool supporters waking up on matchday will have checked the forecast before anything else.
A general view of Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool before the Carabao Cup Third Round match Liverpool vs Leicester City at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 27th September 2023 (Photo by Steve Flynn/News Images)
A general view of Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool before the Carabao Cup Third Round match Liverpool vs Leicester City at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 27th September 2023 (Photo by Steve Flynn/News Images)
Liverpool supporters waking up on matchday will have checked the forecast before anything else.
The Met Office’s latest update, published early on Sunday morning, suggests the worst of Storm Boelo is moving away from Merseyside, even if the wind has not quite finished with the north of the country.
In its five-day forecast, updated at 04:00 UTC on Sunday, the Met Office describes the day under the headline “Strong winds continue as Storm Boelo slowly clears away”.
It says Sunday will bring strong winds, with showers and longer spells of rain mainly affecting Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Elsewhere there should be some sunshine, although scattered showers are expected to develop in the west and north, with temperatures around average for late October.
The real danger is concentrated further north.
Amber wind warnings remain in force for Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and northern England, and on Friday Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway said they would cover “all of mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the very far north of England”.
Those warnings run until 9pm on Sunday, with gusts of 60 to 70mph possible widely and up to 80mph in exposed coastal spots.
Yellow warnings extend further south, and Merseyside was placed under a yellow warning for both Saturday and Sunday.
As things stand, Liverpool’s 2pm kick-off against Brighton at Anfield is going ahead.
Any late decision would rest with the local Safety Advisory Group, which brings together both clubs, Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council.
Travel, rather than the conditions inside the stadium, is likely to be the deciding factor, especially for Brighton supporters facing one of the longest away trips of the season.
Fans have not forgotten that the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was called off less than four hours before kick-off in December 2024 because of Storm Darragh.
If the game does go ahead, the weather may not be Liverpool’s biggest problem.
Brighton arrive in outstanding form, having won their last four Premier League games by a combined 15–0.
They have scored 23 goals in their first seven league matches and, with only five conceded, share the best defensive record in the division with Arsenal.
They have also won two of their last three league meetings with Liverpool.
Anfield history is firmly on the Reds’ side, though.
Liverpool have won their last four home games against Brighton and lost just one of their last 13 at Anfield in all competitions, a 1–0 defeat in February 2021.
Alexander Isak arrives with five goals in his last five league appearances, Florian Wirtz has created more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season, and Andoni Iraola’s side have already come from behind to win three times this term.
Supporters planning to travel should keep checking official club channels and the Met Office before setting off, because conditions in the north can still change quickly.
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