Martin Keown moots Everton ‘shame’ as Goodison Park derby v Liverpool postponed
Martin Keown believes Everton would be disappointed that the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park has been postponed due to the weather.
The Toffees would have been high on confidence going into the final Premier League game against the Reds at Goodison on Saturday [7 December] following their 4-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday, 4 December, according to the BBC pundit.
Keown reckons the harsh weather would have also seen the relegation-battlers go up against the table-toppers on a level playing field and said that it is a shame the game has fallen victim to Storm Darragh [David Ornstein].
Speaking on BBC’s Football Focus [7 December, 12:05 pm], the former Toffees defender said: “I think today, with Everton having won so well in mid-week and the weather being a great leveller – obviously it was too bad in the end, but it would have been a good day for Everton to take Liverpool on.
“That would be two away games now, they struggled a little bit against Newcastle. Newcastle were quite magnificent [in the 3-3 draw] mid-week.
“So, Everton would have wanted the game on. That iconic stadium, the last derby game, that’s a massive thing in your mind. I played there as a player, the atmosphere is amazing and it would have just ratcheted that up a little bit today, so it’s a bit of a shame.”
Martin Keown moots Everton ‘shame’ as Goodison Park derby v Liverpool postponed
Keown is right about this being a good time for Sean Dyche’s side to lock horns with Liverpool, who were held to a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park on Wednesday.
Not only would the Reds have gone into the game on the back of a disappointing result, but also would have been tired after playing Real Madrid and Manchester City in their previous two fixtures.
Arne Slot’s side would also have been without Alexis Mac Allister, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Tyneside earlier in the week. Alisson, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota were also expected to miss out.
Nevertheless, it would not have made sense for the game to go on as it would have put the fans of both sides in threat.
Meanwhile, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett fears Goodison Park is at risk of damage due to the harsh weather.
In other Everton news, a David Moyes return is on the cards after a surprise Dyche-Dan Friedkin twist emerged.
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