Saturday’s Premier League game between Everton and Liverpool was canceled for safety reasons.

The decision follows mass unrest caused by Storm Darragh. An amber weather warning was issued for Merseyside on Saturday morning.

The decision to postpone the game, the Premier League’s final Merseyside derby to be held at Goodison Park, was made by local authorities following a meeting on Saturday morning.

The Premier League says information about the game’s realignment will be announced “in due course”.

A Liverpool statement said: “Liverpool FC can confirm that today’s Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park, scheduled for 12.30pm, has been postponed.

“This is due to severe weather and strong winds which have also caused severe travel disruption in and around Merseyside.”

An Everton statement added: “We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank the fans for their understanding.” Whilst we realize this will be a huge disappointment for fans, the safety of fans, staff and players of the utmost importance.

“Information regarding a new date for the game will be announced in due course.

“All tickets purchased for the original game remain valid for the rearranged game.”

Both clubs had issued statements on Friday afternoon advising fans to allow extra time for travel in light of the strong wind warning issued by the Met Office.

The game is the first Premier League game to be postponed due to Storm Darragh. Championship games between Cardiff City and Watford and Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United were canceled on Friday.

The Cabinet Office issued an emergency alert to people in Wales and southwest England on Friday evening, advising them to stay in their homes amid a red wind warning.

Barring an FA Cup clash, the postponed game will be the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park as Everton prepare to move to their new Bradley Moore Dock stadium next season.

Liverpool sit at the top of the Premier League after winning 11 of their first 14 top-flight games under Arne Slot. They are seven points ahead of second-placed Chelsea and third-placed Arsenal, but that lead could be reduced to four by the end of the weekend if Enzo Maresca’s side beat Tottenham Hotspur or Mikel Arteta’s side win at Fulham.

Everton are in 15th place in the Premier League, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Everton face Arsenal again next Saturday, while Liverpool play Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Who made the decision to cancel the game?

Club officials, Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council representatives attended a safety consultation meeting on Saturday morning where the postponement was deemed necessary “due to the safety risk in the area”.

This was officially announced to the public shortly after 8:30 a.m. (GMT), with the game scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.

A statement from the two clubs said: “Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park this morning, 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 posed by the strong gusts of wind and a yellow warning for strong winds which remains in force until 6am on Sunday, today’s game must be postponed for safety reasons.”

Which players are affected by the postponement of the game?

Liverpool were without six players in Saturday’s game due to injuries. Goalkeeper Alisson, striker Diogo Jota and winger Federico Chiesa were expected to be sidelined, but Slot described during Friday’s pre-match press conference that they were close to returning.

Defenders Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas are all out injured.

Liverpool would have been without Alexis Mac Allister through suspension as the Argentine midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Newcastle United on Wednesday. Instead, he will serve his ban for next weekend’s game against Fulham and is expected to be available for the rearranged Merseyside derby.

Michael Keane was a doubt for Everton with James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam on the sidelines. Sean Dyche’s side had no suspension concerns for Saturday’s game.

The Fantasy Premier League, the official fantasy football game of the English top flight, does not typically make adjustments or rule changes due to postponed games – something managers have had to get used to during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A statement on the Premier League website said: “The FPL deadline remains unchanged. The deadline for Fantasy Premier League managers’ squad selection remains Saturday at 11:00 GMT.”

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is the player with the most appearances in the game: 61 percent of Fantasy Premier League managers have the Egyptian international in their team in the 15th game week. The defenders Virgil van Dijk (24.9 percent) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (21.1 percent). cents) are also popular. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (9.9 percent) is Everton’s best player.

(Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)