Safety meeting to be held amid Liverpool vs Manchester United weather concerns

Safety meeting to be held amid Liverpool vs Manchester United weather concerns

Those travelling to Anfield have been told to check the latest travel advice in light of the snow that has fallen overnight.

The shovels might be being used on many football pitches across the country this morning (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

Liverpool have the opportunity to move eight points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand should they beat Manchester United later today. If the game goes ahead, that is.

Snow has been falling across the city overnight and there is concern over spectator safety amid troublesome road conditions. An amber alert has been issued for Liverpool and Manchester by the Met Office.

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This is not as severe as the ‘dangerous’ red warning but it is a grade up from the tamer yellow warning. Liverpool FC have already had one game postponed due to the weather this season.

In early December, the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was called off due to Storm Darragh. That fixture has yet to be rearranged and another postponement could further increase the intensity of Liverpool’s packed schedule.

Safety meeting to be held

Liverpool City Council’s Safety Advisory Group is set to convene and hold a meeting early this morning to discuss next steps in regards to the match. By then, there will be a clearer picture about state of the roads and public transport lines, and whether it is too dangerous for supporters to travel.

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Snow has fallen in large areas over the north west, including the roads between Manchester and Liverpool - the route many United supporters will be using to get to Anfield. Safety officers will assess the conditions and judge whether to call off of the fixture or hold off a verdict.

An update is expected to be shared upon the meeting’s conclusion. It is not unusual for civic safety officers to hold a meeting in light of bad weather in their area, albeit such meetings are not necessary when there is no danger to travellers and workers.

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Weather watch

The Met Office has forecast Liverpool to receive snow coverage for most of the early morning before it heads north by around 9am. At midday there could be a lighter spell for a short while but by 3pm rain is due to set in with temperatures at one degree Celsius.

That makes the water on the roads liable for freezing and the temperatures may not climb much higher throughout the day. The worst of the rain might be over by 6pm, although some areas still may be lightly covered by 9pm.

From midnight the rain is due to have all but stopped although temperatures remain rife for freezing ahead of Monday commutes. Safety officers must also think about the journey home for spectators after the game, be it locally or across back to Manchester, so after-match conditions will be factored into decision-making.

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As yet, the is no suggestion that the match will be postponed. All forecasts are accurate at the time of writing.

For all the latest updates on the weather and whether the match is going ahead, follow the ECHO’s live blog here.

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