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Premier League star Jarrad Branthwaite in tears after horror injury during Liverpool clash

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was stretchered off in tears after suffering a horror injury during the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool

[Jarrad Branthwaite]

Jarrad Branthwaite was stretchered off in tears against Liverpool

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was left in tears after suffering a horror injury against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday.

The 23-year-old centre-back had to be replaced in the closing stages of the first derby to be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. With the score at 1-1 following Mohamed Salah's first-half opener and Beto's equaliser in the second half, Branthwaite appeared to pick up a serious muscle problem.

Branthwaite was running back and jostling with Cody Gakpo in his own penalty box before he was muscled off the pitch and fell over the goal line.

[Jarrad Branthwaite]

Jarrad Branthwaite appeared to pick up a serious hamstring injury

The defender was able to return to his feet in an attempt to stop Gakpo turning and bearing down on the Everton goal, but he collapsed back to the turf after the danger had been averted.

Clutching his right hamstring, Branthwaite was in tears when medics tended to him. He was soon stretchered off the pitch with his hands over his face.

It was the second serious injury of the game after Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was stretchered off after Beto collided with the Georgian while scoring his goal.

After the two lengthy injury delays, 11 minutes of added time were signalled as both teams looked to find a late winner. And it was the Reds captain Virgil van Dijk who found it in the 101st minute with a header from a corner.

Branthwaite's reaction indicates that his injury could leave him out of action for some time, potentially scuppering any chance he has of making a late push for a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.

The defender had only returned from a long-term hamstring injury in January, making his first appearance of the season earlier this year.

The result means that Liverpool are in fifth place in the table, seven points clear of Chelsea in sixth. Everton are in 10th place, level with Brighton and just one point off seventh-placed Brentford.

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