The Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton, initially set to take place soon, must be rescheduled due to the disruptions caused by Storm Darragh. This postponement brings a challenge of finding a suitable date in an already packed football calendar. Currently, three possible windows have emerged as contenders for the fixture.
If Liverpool maintains their strong Champions League form under Arne Slot and avoids the knockout play-off round, two February dates—11/12 and 18/19 of 2025—become potential options. These dates are feasible because Everton, not competing in European tournaments, has greater schedule flexibility. Alternatively, the game could be played on 22/23 April 2025, positioning it during the decisive final weeks of the season.
Each date comes with its own scheduling considerations. If the derby is played on 11/12 February, it would be sandwiched between a potential FA Cup fourth-round match and a home Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 18/19 February option would place the game just before a demanding away trip to Manchester City. The third option, 22/23 April, would mean the derby occurs between Liverpool’s visit to Leicester City and a challenging home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool’s progression—or elimination—from domestic cup competitions could open up other dates later in the season, but for now, these three windows are the primary choices. Each comes with its own implications for fixture congestion and team preparation.
For Liverpool, should their European campaign proceed as expected, scheduling the derby in February could be advantageous. This avoids the pressures of a heavily congested schedule later in the season and aligns the game with relatively less demanding fixtures. However, the April option, while closer to the season’s end, carries its own risks as every match during this period becomes increasingly critical. Discussions about which team stands to gain or lose from the postponement are already underway.
