When Liverpool game at Everton can be played as most likely PL dates emerge

Liverpool are now going to have fit a Goodison derby into their hectic fixture schedule this season

11:47, 07 Dec 2024Updated 12:50, 07 Dec 2024

A dog-walker passes the ground as news of the postponement of the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool spreads, outside Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 7, 2024(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The local bragging rights are going to have to lay unclaimed for a little bit longer. And now the focus will be on when Liverpool’s final Goodison league derby can be squeezed into an already hectic schedule.

Storm Darragh put paid to the scheduled 245th staging of the fixture on Saturday lunchtime for what would have been the Reds’ 120th and, unless there is an FA Cup clash between the teams, last trip across Stanley Park to face their neighbours.

The game was to be the fifth in a run of 12 in 43 days for the Reds in which their League Cup and Champions League hopes would be shaped and their Premier League title challenge face a severe examination.

Now the fixture must be rearranged in what is shaping up to be a busy campaign for Liverpool who, unlike Everton, have European commitments and are still in the League Cup.

There is certainly no chance the game is played this month given all the midweek slots are filled. And the possibility of Liverpool winning at Southampton on December 18 in their League Cup quarter-final means it is unlikely the Goodison clash will be tentatively scheduled for either of the midweeks – the second week in January and first in February – when the two legs of the semi-finals are due to be played.

Technically, New Year’s Day – a Wednesday – is an available slot. But given the authorities have been keen to give players more rest during the festive period, adding another game at that point of the calendar would be an unusual move.

With there being a round of midweek Premier League games in early January and Liverpool having their final two Champions League games at home to Lille and away to PSV Eindhoven, it makes February the earliest month when the trip to Goodison can be arranged.

Even then, there are caveats. Should Liverpool, as seems likely, qualify directly to the Champions League last 16, it would avoid the need to negotiate a play-off round. The midweek dates for the two legs of the play-off round – the weeks beginning February 10 and February 17 – would then be free for the derby to be played.

But if Liverpool only discover their European fate in their final group game in late January, it would not leave much time to arrange the fixture and provide ample warning for supporters. The availability of other midweeks later in the season would depend on how far the Reds progress in the Champions League.

While the likelihood is the final Goodison derby will be played in midweek, there is scope for that not to be the case. Should Liverpool and Everton both be eliminated early from the FA Cup, they could play each other on a weekend with the fourth round (Saturday February 8), fifth round (Saturday March 1) and quarter-finals (Saturday March 29) all prompting free Premier League weekends.

That said, given both teams are at home to lower league opposition in the third round, it seems unlikely they will both be eliminated, making March the earliest of those potentially available weekends.

Regardless, the hectic schedule means there is likely to be a lengthy wait before Liverpool and Everton can cross swords again. And with the Anfield clash in April already a midweek fixture, it means there could be the unusual prospect of two league derbies under the lights this season.