Published: 10:35, June 11, 2020 | Updated: 00:48, June 6, 2023
Goodison gets the OK for June 21 Liverpool derby
By Xinhua

In thsi Jan 5, 2020 photo, Everton's Irish defender Seamus Coleman (left) vies with Liverpool's Belgium striker Divock Origi (right) during the English FA Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England. (PAUL ELLIS / AFP)

LONDON - The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, scheduled to be played on June 21st at Goodison Park Stadium, will be able to be held in Everton's ground after the safety advisory group of Liverpool City Council decided to approve a safety certificate for the stadium.

Liverpool have nine games to play in the 2019-20 season and lead second-place Manchester City by 25 points

If other results elsewhere go their way, the game could see Liverpool assure their first league title in 30 years. Even though the match is due to be played behind closed doors, there have been fears that fans could go to celebrate and consequently breach social distancing rules.

The National Chief of football policing had earlier recommended that the threat of seeing social distancing rules broken and the subsequent risk of causing further cases of the coronavirus, Covid-19, meant the game should be held in a neutral ground.

ALSO READ: Liverpool mayor says Everton should host Merseyside derby

However, the Merseyside police and Liverpool council said they supported the match being played at Goodison Park, although the Mayor of Liverpool, Jon Anderson has said that fans would not be welcome near the ground.

Liverpool have nine games to play in the 2019-20 season and lead second-place Manchester City by 25 points.