Premier League rejects request to reschedule Merseyside derby

The Premier League has reportedly rejected a request to reschedule the upcoming Merseyside Derby, which is set to take place on April 2.

Both Liverpool and Everton had sought a new date for the fixture, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Everton are scheduled to visit Anfield on April 2 before hosting Arsenal in a lunchtime kickoff less than 72 hours later.

The two Merseyside clubs explored the possibility of moving their derby forward to April 1, a switch that would have given David Moyes’ side more recovery time before facing the Gunners.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the Premier League declined the request despite both clubs seeing potential benefits in the adjustment.

It remains unclear when the request was made.

The Premier League had already confirmed its TV selections for April on February 28, with the Merseyside Derby set to be broadcast on Sky Sports and Everton vs. Arsenal on TNT Sports.

Liverpool enter the final stretch of the season with a 12-point lead at the top of the table and just nine matches remaining.

However, they went into the international break on a disappointing note, suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.

After being eliminated from Europe by Paris Saint-Germain, Arne Slot’s side also fell 2-1 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

“It’s part of football if you face strong teams that you can lose as well,” Slot said after the Wembley reverse.

“Ideally you go through the whole season only winning, winning, winning.

“But it can happen that after eight months of football you lose twice in a row if you face Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.”