David Moyes gives worrying Jarrad Branthwaite injury update as Everton star stretchered off in tears

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was stretchered off late on during the Toffees’ last gasp defeat at home to Liverpool.

The Englishman went down clutching the back of his right leg at Hill Dickinson Stadium and was duly taken off on 87 minutes to be replaced by Michael Keane.

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Branthwaite looked emotional as he lay down on the stretcher with the 23-year-old suffering what could be another major injury setback.

The player has dealt with hamstring issues before having been sidelined between August and January earlier this season.

His hamstring troubles were also confirmed by former Everton set piece coach Charlie Adam.

“I think that’s probably what’s in the back of his mind,” ex-Liverpool midfielder Adam said on commentary for talkSPORT.

“It looks like that right hamstring again where he had that surgery earlier in the season, [he was] just coming back from that.

“So, yeah, if it’s that hamstring again it’s a bitter blow for him because he’s a top young talent and he was working his way back to fitness with that.”

“Good luck to him because I knew when I was in the football club that hamstring was a problem for him and hopefully it’s not too serious,” Adam added.

“But if he’s had surgery on that before it’ll be a long time for him to come back.”

Branthwaite injury update

Toffees boss David Moyes wasn’t optimistic post-match when asked about Branthwaite’s injury.

“I don’t know yet, no. But I’m worried that it could be, might not be great but we’ll see,” Moyes responded when asked how severe the knock will be.

Everton downed by rivals

The Merseyside derby was locked at 1-1 at the time of Branthwaite’s exit, but to add insult to injury, Everton left the game empty-handed.

Virgil van Dijk’s header from a corner deep into stoppage-time ensured Liverpool secured bragging rights as they ran out 2-1 winners.

Earlier, Mohamed Salah put the away side in front but Everton equalised through a close-range finish on the slide by Beto.

The only stain on Liverpool’s derby day delight saw goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili get stretchered off after sustaining an injury while Beto scored.

Alisson is also sidelined with injury and is not expected to return until Liverpool’s clash at Manchester United on May 3, meaning the Reds could be forced to play third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman for the remainder of the season.

The season will end without a trophy for Liverpool, however, they still have Champions League qualification to play for.

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Liverpool’s spot in fifth place – the final qualification spot – has been strengthened thanks to this win and sixth-placed Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday with the Reds now seven points clear of the Blues.