Liverpool's Carling Cup quarter final against Arsenal has been
postponed due to fog.
Referee Martin Atkinson called a pitch inspection for 6.15pm to
assess the conditions and said that if the fog had not worsened in
30 minutes the game would go ahead.
However, on his return at 6.45pm conditions had deteriorated and
the visibility was so poor that the match was declared
unplayable.
Atkinson explained that he had tried to get the game played but had
to consider not only his fellow officials and the players but also
a full house at Anfield.
"We were informed at 4pm this afternoon the conditions were quite
bad and we got to the ground at 4.50pm to have a look at it," he
told Sky Sports.
"It is very misty and has been for the last three hours. We have
been in the stands, looked round from different angles from a
spectators' point of view and the weather is not getting better -
you can't see some parts of the pitch.
"When you look across the pitch from the far (Centenary Stand) side
you can't see this touchline. I have to think of my assistant
referees and the control of the game."
No decision has yet been taken about when the game will be played,
but it has been confirmed that it will be not be rescheduled for
Wednesday.
With both sides playing twice a week over Christmas and New Year
rearranging the game is sure to be difficult, especially with the
semi-finals scheduled for January 9/10.
Liverpool and Arsenal also meet in the third round of the FA Cup on
January 6.
Meanwhile, the League One game between Tranmere and Crewe, which
was postponed last Friday due to a waterlogged pitch, has also been
called off due to fog.