Everton vs Liverpool new date gets green light after avoiding fresh fixture headache
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The postponed Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool is now expected to take place on February 12 after Arne Slot's side booked their place in the Champions League round of 16. The first Merseyside Derby of the season was initially due to take place in early December. However, it was called off after Storm Darragh wreaked havoc on the country.
The new date was confirmed in mid-January, though announcements at the time recognised that the fixture would need to be rearranged again if Liverpool ended up facing a European play-off. Now, thanks to the Reds' victory over Lille on Tuesday, the February date is official.
Liverpool have won seven games out of seven in Europe, ensuring a top-eight finish in the league phase with a match to spare. That means they'll go directly through to the round of 16, while the teams finishing 9th-24th have a play-off round on the same week as the rearranged Merseyside Derby.
February's game will be the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park before Everton move into their new stadium. It will also be the first with David Moyes back in charge, after predecessor Sean Dyche was due to take charge of the original game. Dyche was sacked in early January, with Moyes returning after more than a decade away. He will be in the home dugout on February 12 and the away one on April 2, when Everton head to Anfield in a game which could prove crucial at both ends of the table.
Moyes claimed the first win of his second spell on Sunday, holding on for a 3-2 victory over Spurs which lifted Everton four points clear of the relegation places. Liverpool, meanwhile, sit six points clear at the top after beating Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
