Liverpool and Everton had both requested for the Merseyside Derby to be moved to April 1, but the Premier League has reportedly rejected the request to swap the dates in a boost for Arsenal
The Premier League has reportedly rejected a proposal to reschedule the forthcoming Merseyside Derby, according to claims. Both Liverpool and Everton were seeking an alternative date for the clash scheduled for April 2.
Everton are set to visit Anfield on April 2, with a quick turnaround for a lunchtime kickoff against Arsenal at home less than 72 hours later. The two clubs from Merseyside had hoped to advance their derby match, which would have allowed David Moyes’ team additional recovery time before their weekend game
The Mail reports that both Everton and Liverpool saw benefits in moving their game to April 1, but the Premier League has apparently declined the request
The timing of the request remains uncertain. The Premier League confirmed its April television fixtures on February 28, featuring the Merseyside Derby on Sky Sports, while TNT Sports will broadcast Everton’s match against Arsenal.
Liverpool enters this series of matches with a 12-point lead at the summit and only nine games left to play. However, they’re coming off consecutive defeats for the first time this season as they went into the international break, reports the Mirror.
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s ousting of Arne Slot’s Liverpool from European competition, Newcastle inflicted a 2-1 defeat on them in the Carabao Cup final. “It’s part of football if you face strong teams that you can lose as well,” Slot conceded post-match at Wembley
Following a challenging phase without a win, Arsenal bounced back just before the players dispersed for international duty. Mikel Merino’s goal was the difference as they edged past Chelsea
The Gunners now look ahead to two sequential home fixtures against fellow London sides Fulham and Brentford, with a trip to face Everton in between.
Bukayo Saka is on the mend and could feature in those upcoming matches, according to manager Mikel Arteta. The forward has been sidelined since December due to a hamstring issue, which he picked up during a match at Crystal Palace
Reflecting on the significance of gutsy performances and the tight race at the top, Arteta told Sky Sports post-Chelsea win: “We play a top opponent and the team played with an unbelievable spirit and now we go to the international break The only thing we can do is try to win our matches. If we do, we are in a better position.”
Arsenal’s quest for the top spot means that they’ll not only have to secure victories in all their remaining nine games but also hope that Liverpool falters. Slot’s charges have lost just 17 points from 29 league games and entered the international hiatus on a three-game winning streak despite their cup defeats