BBC reporter provides update on Liverpool vs Man Utd as game at risk of being called off

An update regarding Liverpool's clash against Manchester United has emerged after the Met Office issued an amber weather warning ahead of the much-anticipated fixture.

In the build-up to Sunday's Premier League game, talk of whether the game would be postponed was rife as forecasts predicted heavy snow and freezing rain, with disruptions being expected on public transport.

Temperatures were also expected to drop below freezing around Anfield during the early hours of Sunday morning and in a statement, the Met Office sent a clear warning regarding the conditions.

"Snow will become persistent and locally heavy as it pushes south to north across the warning area," the statement read.

"As well as snow, a period of freezing rain is also likely bringing some hazardous travel conditions, before milder air follows across all areas by Sunday morning."

The statement added: "While there’s some uncertainty in details, 3-7cm of snow is likely for most of the warning area, with locally 15-30cm for the higher ground of Wales and the southern Pennines.

"Freezing rain could lead to ice accretion in places, especially parts of Wales – before the milder air leads to a rapid thaw of snow and ice in the south of the warning area through Sunday."

Now, an update has confirmed that a decision on the match going ahead has been delayed until midday, with a Safety Authority Group reconvening at midday due to expected changes in weather conditions.

It was said a Safety Advisory Group would review the situation at 9am on Sunday morning to determine whether or not it was safe to go ahead.

BBC reporter Ian Dennis wrote: "Safety group meeting due to take place at Anfield at 9am ahead of #LFC v #MUFC. No issues with pitch and stadium but discussion will be on safety of access."

He later added: "Decision deferred. There will be a further meeting at 11:45."

It is believed the meeting was attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police. Liverpool City Council were also expected to be present.

Anfield at the moment pic.twitter.com/8yNazia5O5

— Vinny O'Connor (@VinnOConnor) January 5, 2025

Liverpool have since posted another update regarding the situation.

A statement read: "A safety meeting was held this morning to assess the weather and travel conditions for today’s fixture against Manchester United at Anfield

"At this stage the match is planned to go ahead as normal and every effort is being made to get the game on. A further safety meeting will take place again at midday to assess the latest conditions.

"We will update supporters just as soon as we can. Please take extra care out there, Reds."

As you can see from the footage above, Sky Sports reporter Vinny O'Connor posted a video of Anfield at 9:30am on Sunday.

The latest situation comes after the Merseyside derby was postponed in December due to severe weather and high winds, which resulted in travel disruption in and around Merseyside.

A Safety Advisory Group meeting took place at Goodison Park and it was decided that due to the risk to safety in the local area, and the amber severe wind warning, the match would be postponed on safety grounds.