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Everton's £70m defender suffers recurrence of the same injury that required surgery and sidelined him for five months earlier this season
Jarrad Branthwaite left Hill Dickinson Stadium on a stretcher in tears after his troublesome right hamstring gave way again during Everton's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool. The 23-year-old defender clutched the back of his leg in the 87th minute, the same hamstring that required surgery and kept him out from August to January.
Former Everton set-piece coach Charlie Adam, commentating for talkSPORT, immediately identified the problem.
It looks like that right hamstring again where he had that surgery earlier in the season. If it's that hamstring again it's a bitter blow for him because he's a top young talent.
This marks the second major hamstring injury for Branthwaite in eight months. The defender had only recently returned to full fitness after missing the entire first half of the season following surgery on the same muscle.
David Moyes offered a worrying assessment post-match when asked about the severity.
I don't know yet, no. But I'm worried that it could be, might not be great but we'll see.
At 23, Branthwaite should be entering his peak years. Instead, he faces another extended spell on the sidelines. Charlie Adam, who worked closely with the player at Everton, revealed this has been an ongoing concern.
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. But if he's had surgery on that before it'll be a long time for him to come back.
The timing could hardly be worse. Branthwaite had shown glimpses of his best form since returning in January, reminding everyone why Manchester United were prepared to bid for him last summer.
Everton's survival hopes took a double blow with both the defeat and the loss of their best defender. Branthwaite has been central to their defensive structure when fit, and his absence from August to January coincided with their worst run of form.
The immediate impact was evident. Michael Keane replaced Branthwaite for the final minutes, but Everton conceded the winner through Virgil van Dijk's stoppage-time header. Without their defensive lynchpin, Everton face a daunting run-in.
Key factors that make this injury so damaging:
Beyond the immediate sporting impact, Branthwaite's recurring injuries complicate Everton's financial planning. The club had viewed him as a saleable asset who could ease their well-documented money troubles. A player with persistent hamstring problems becomes far less attractive to potential buyers.
His market value, which peaked at around £70 million when Manchester United showed interest, will inevitably drop if these injury issues persist.
Branthwaite's career trajectory has shifted dramatically. Once viewed as a future England regular and target for elite clubs, he now faces questions about his long-term reliability.
Manchester United's interest last summer demonstrated Branthwaite's potential value. However, recurring hamstring injuries at 23 raise red flags for any club considering a significant investment. Elite teams need defenders who can play 40-50 matches per season, not players with chronic muscle problems.
The medical history now reads:
Branthwaite harboured legitimate hopes of breaking into the England squad for major tournaments. Those ambitions now look increasingly distant. International managers rarely select players with persistent injury problems, particularly in positions where consistency and partnerships matter.
The defender faces a critical period in his career. How he manages this latest setback, both physically and mentally, will determine whether he fulfils his potential or becomes another cautionary tale of promise curtailed by injury.
Everton await scan results that will determine the severity of Branthwaite's latest hamstring injury. Given his recent surgery on the same muscle, the prognosis appears bleak. Another extended absence would leave Moyes scrambling for defensive solutions as Everton fight to preserve their Premier League status.
For Branthwaite himself, the immediate focus must shift to proper rehabilitation and addressing why this specific hamstring keeps breaking down. At 23, he has time to overcome these issues, but the pattern is becoming increasingly concerning for player and club alike.
Branthwaite suffered a recurrence of his right hamstring injury in the 87th minute of Everton's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool. This is the same hamstring that previously required surgery and kept him out for five months.
Branthwaite was sidelined for five months from August to January due to his previous hamstring injury that required surgery. The current injury affects the same muscle.
Moyes expressed concern about the injury's severity, stating he was 'worried that it could be, might not be great' but would need to assess the full extent of the damage.
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Branthwaite is valued at approximately £70 million, making him Everton's most valuable asset. Manchester United previously showed interest in signing the defender last summer.
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