New Merseyside Derby Date Revealed with Potential Title Decider
Liverpool fans have been eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated Merseyside Derby against Everton, but a rescheduling has thrown a curveball into the mix. With Liverpool now through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, their match against Manchester United, originally set for March 17, will take precedence. This has left organizers with a fixture headache, as they scramble to find a suitable date for the Merseyside Derby.
The possibility of a title-deciding derby in the last week of the season is now on the cards. However, it is more likely that another date will be selected to accommodate Liverpool’s involvement in multiple competitions. As it stands, if Liverpool were to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, their match against Fulham in the Premier League would also have to be postponed as it falls on the same weekend.
With Liverpool’s potential progress in the Europa League, they could have midweek fixtures on April 23 and May 14, which are both in the last week of the season. In order to provide clarity for the clubs and supporters, it is expected that the match against Everton will be moved to April 23 or 24.
The Premier League won’t know if they need to reschedule the Fulham match until March 16, when Liverpool face Manchester United in the FA Cup. This leaves a tight turnaround for preparation if a rescheduling is required. Alternatively, the Fulham match could be moved to May 14 or 15, the final week of the season, between matches against Aston Villa and Wolves.
There is also the possibility that the league may decide to schedule the Everton vs. Liverpool match in the final week of the season. This would create an electrifying atmosphere and potentially a title-deciding derby. However, all these complications could be avoided if Liverpool were to lose against Manchester United or fail to reach the Europa League semi-finals, as it would open up extra midweeks for rearranged fixtures.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their fixture list, Liverpool remains focused on their push for a historic quadruple. They have already secured the League Cup this season and are set to face Sparta Prague in the last 16 of the Europa League. While Liverpool is expected to progress past their Czech opponents, there are still strong sides remaining in the competition that could pose real problems if Liverpool’s injury issues persist.
In the meantime, Liverpool fans can look forward to a hectic March schedule. They will face Forest in the Premier League on March 2, followed by a trip to Sparta Prague for the first leg of the Europa League last 16 on March 7. A crucial Premier League showdown against Manchester City awaits on March 10 before the return leg against Sparta Prague on March 14. The highly anticipated FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United will take place on March 17 before a brief international break. Liverpool will then conclude the month with a Premier League clash against Brighton on March 31.
As Liverpool continues their quest for glory on multiple fronts, fans will be hoping that the fixtures continue to come thick and fast. With their sights set on a quadruple, Liverpool will need to navigate through a congested schedule while keeping their key players fit and firing. The rearranged Merseyside Derby promises to be a spectacle that could potentially decide the fate of the title race, adding even more excitement to an already thrilling season.