Merseyside derby postponement creates opportunity for sharp-minded Dream Team bosses down the line

MANY Dream Team managers were forced to rip up their best-laid plans on Saturday morning.

Everton v Liverpool was due to get Gameweek 14 underway in fine style but the game at Goodison Park was called off on safety grounds with Storm Darragh wreaking havoc.

From a Dream Team perspective, the postponement of the Merseyside derby came as a huge spanner in the works a few hours before the deadline as many of Arne Slot’s regulars are among the most popular players in the game.

The Reds have a Champions League game against Girona in midweek so this Gameweek is not a total wipeout for the likes of Mohamed Salah (£7.6m), Luis Diaz (£4.1m) and Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m).

But with Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea all set to fulfil two fixtures this week, Liverpool missing out on a double header will probably harm gaffers heavy on Anfield assets.

Dream Team bosses with their wits about them on Saturday morning had time to rethink their approach for Gameweek 14 – both Salah and Diaz were among the most transferred out players come the deadline.

Those who took such drastic action should be thinking very strongly about bringing the Egyptian superstar back in ahead of Gameweek 15 as he remains Dream Team’s top point scorer despite taking the weekend off.

More importantly, what was a problem this weekend can be manipulated into an opportunity for sharp-minded gaffers later in the campaign.

It’s unclear when the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will take place at this stage but it’s likely to create a juicy double Gameweek for both clubs.

With all due respect to the Toffees, it’s Slot’s troops who make the biggest waves in Dream Team, as is to be expected from the side currently leading both the Premier League and Champions League.

There’s a chance that Liverpool and Everton will be the only two teams to fulfil a double Gameweek when they meet sometime in 2025.

The prospect of stocking up on Liverpool players (and perhaps the impressive Dwight McNeil) to coincide with this event could bear sizeable fruit.

There are other factors to consider – injuries, variable form, other match-ups – but gaffers should have one keen eye on the rearranged Merseyside derby when it’s announced.