Everton vs Liverpool date decided as Arne Slot handed favour in rescheduled fixture | Football | Sport
Goodison Park will host its final Merseyside derby on February 11, according to reports. Everton’s last home match against Liverpool before they move into their new Bramley-Moore Dock home was postponed last weekend due to storm Darragh.
The fixture has been pencilled in for February 11 as Premier League rules state that postponed fixtures must be rearranged for the next available midweek slot. However, depending on Liverpool‘s performance in the Carabao Cup next week, the derby could still be moved to an earlier date.
Liverpool‘s success in cup competitions has limited the options available to the Premier League. The new date, first reported by the Mirror, falls on the Champions League play-off week. The Reds currently top the league phase of the European competition with an unblemished record from six matches, and seem extremely unlikely to have to go through additional qualifying for the knockout stage.
The Premier League requires permission from UEFA to stage a top-flight match but that will reportedly be a formality. There is the added difficulty that TNT Sports has the rights to broadcast both the Merseyside derby and the Champions League play-offs. However, it is reported that the broadcaster have given their blessing for the game to take place that week.
If Liverpool lose their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Premier League basement side Southampton next week, two free weeks would become available in January when the semi-final stage is due to take place. A surprise defeat against the Saints would therefore allow the Merseyside derby to take place in mid-January.
February 11 falls at a far less strenuous stage of Liverpool‘s fixture calendar. At present, they currently have no fixtures scheduled from their visit to Bournemouth on February 1 to their next league match against Wolves on February 16. However, success against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup would see their fourth-round tie take place on the weekend of February 8-9.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
