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Everton vs Liverpool to go ahead at Goodison Park on June 21

Watch Merseyside derby live on Sky Sports and Sky Pick; Liverpool could win Premier League title at Goodison Park if Arsenal beat Manchester City on June 17

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Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has welcomed the news the Merseyside derby against Everton will go ahead on June 21 at Goodison Park behind closed doors and not at a neutral venue.

The Merseyside derby will go ahead on June 21 at Goodison Park behind closed doors, and not at a neutral venue, it has been confirmed.

The ground safety advisory group at Liverpool City Council met on Wednesday and has approved a safety certificate to allow the match to go ahead at Everton's home ground.

Discussions were also held between the Council and Merseyside Police, Liverpool and Everton football clubs as well as the Spirit of Shankly and Blue Union supporters groups, regarding the fulfilment of public health protocols for the match.

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The fixture was previously on a list of games which had been requested by local police forces to be played at a neutral venue amid public health fears, due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the UK's football police lead Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts.

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In the initial round of Premier League fixtures published last Friday, the venue was marked as 'TBC' but all matches in the top flight's restart confirmed so far been given the all-clear to be played at usual home venues.

Liverpool, who currently hold a 25-point lead ahead of second-placed Manchester City, could seal the title with victory at Goodison Park, if Pep Guardiola's side are beaten by Arsenal on June 17.

Liverpool welcome decision

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Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool could hold an open-top bus parade through the city midway through next season if they clinch the Premier League title behind closed doors

In a statement, Liverpool welcomed the decision to host the match at Goodison, adding that: "Further dialogue between all partners is scheduled this week and together will provide clear and regular updates for supporters throughout this process.

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"We would like to thank the Chair, the elected members of GSAG, and all those people who have been working tirelessly in the background for their support as we take the next step to completing the 2019/20 Premier League season."

Councillor Wendy Simon, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool and Chair of the Ground Safety Advisory Group (GSAG), said: "We are satisfied that the considerable evidence and guidance provided by the Government, Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs, Public Health colleagues and Merseyside Police will ensure that the outstanding fixtures for the 2019/20 Premier League season can be safely and securely played at both Goodison Park and Anfield.

Everton vs Liverpool
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"A lot of factors have been taken into consideration by the GSAG, especially the safety of the players, match officials and staff in attendance at both stadia.

"We are confident the measures in place will allow the matches to be held behind closed doors without any detrimental impact to all concerned and recommend to the city council that the safety certificates for both grounds be amended to allow this to happen.

"I'm sure fans of both teams will welcome this recommendation and, subject to ratification, we look forward to watching the first of these matches - the Merseyside derby on 21 June - which will be broadcast live on free-to-air TV for the first time since the Premier League began.

"We would also advise that everyone, wherever they may be watching these fixtures, to strongly adhere to the guidance on social distancing around the current COVID-19 pandemic and for not only these matches but the wider relaxation measures anticipated for the city."

Merseyside Police: No objections

Goodison Park
Image: Goodison Park will be the venue when Everton play Liverpool on June 21

Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Rob Carden, added: "We note the decision of the Ground Safety Advisory Group to agree that the outstanding fixtures for the 2019/20 Premier League season can be safely and securely played at Goodison and Anfield.

"Working together with both teams, Liverpool City Council, Spirit of Shankly, Blue Union, and other supporter groups we want to ensure that everyone enjoys the game from the safety of their own home.

"In relation to crime and disorder we have no objections to any of the Everton, or Liverpool, home fixtures being played at their respective grounds.

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"The main issues of concern was always going to be public health. It is not the role of the police to make operational decisions on the basis of public health. We are guided by experts in public health and the government. We accept the decision of the GSAG in this respect and will work closely with our partners to play our part in delivering safe events.

"We are still in unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there are strong concerns in Merseyside, and the wider North West, due to the fact that the R rate here is still higher than the rest of the country.

"For that reason we would urge supporters to do the right thing - stay at home, enjoy the opportunity to watch every second of the game free of charge on your own TV, in your own living room and keep yourself, your family, friends and neighbours safe."

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Charlie Nicholas expects Liverpool to win the Premier League title this season, but doesn't think it will happen against Everton in the Merseyside derby

One positive result in latest round of PL testing

There was encouraging news ahead of a shareholders' meeting on Thursday with the Premier League announcing that only one individual had tested positive for coronavirus from a total of 1,213 players and staff.

Executives from the 20 top-flight clubs will gather for the meeting where the final issues will be dealt with ahead of the scheduled restart on June 17.

Clubs will vote on the stage three 'return-to-play' and match day operations protocols which were presented to players and coaching staff on Tuesday.

It will then be a case of making small amendments to Premier League regulations to reflect the fact that the season will be completed behind closed doors.

Watch the Premier League live on Sky Sports

  • 64 live games on Sky Sports from provisional restart date of June 17
  • 25 games to be made freely available
  • New Sky Sports digital innovations also planned to enhance fan experience

The Premier League 2019/20 season will provisionally restart on Wednesday, June 17 and Sky, the UK's leading football broadcaster, will make 25 games available 'free to air' - including Everton vs Liverpool on the first full weekend back - for everyone in the UK to enjoy.

Sky Sports will show 64 live Premier League games when the season resumes. In addition to the 39 matches already scheduled to be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports before the coronavirus interruption, 25 more matches will be available on both Sky Sports Premier League and Sky's free-to-air Pick channel, allowing the whole nation to be part of the return of live sport.

To celebrate the return of the Premier League, Sky Sports will also launch a host of innovative new features and updates to give fans an even more immersive experience and share the moments live with family and friends on virtual platforms.

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