Everton star in tears after suffering injury blow in derby with Liverpool

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Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite had to be stretchered off late on in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, with the defender breaking down in tears after suffering an injury

Jarrad Branthwaite was in tears as he was stretchered off for Everton against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was left in tears as he was stretchered off late on in Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

With the score locked at 1-1 following goals from Mohamed Salah and Beto, the game looked to be heading to a draw when Branthwaite went down in his own penalty area, having seemingly pulled his hamstring.

The 23-year-old was left visibly upset as he broke down in tears before being stretchered off the pitch, with the England international - who has been previously linked with a move to Liverpool - replaced by Michael Keane for the closing stages of the game.

The injury will leave Branthwaite as a major doubt for the remainder of the season, with Everton looking to chase down Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot, and it may also rule him out of this summer's World Cup, with the defender likely to have been under consideration for Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Branthwaite became the second player to leave the game on a stretcher after Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced off after being left injured in a collision with Andy Robertson in the process of Beto scoring Everton's equalizer.

Mamardashvili was replaced by third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, with usual No.1 Alisson Becker still out as he recovers from a hamstring problem.

Despite that setback, Liverpool went on to secure what could be a crucial three points, with Virgil van Dijk scoring deep into stoppage time to claim a 2-1 victory for his side.

The Reds' captain's header means Arne Slot's team opens up a seven-point gap to nearest challenger Chelsea in the race for the Premier League's top five, with the Blues having lost to Manchester United on Saturday.