Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to miss the rest of this campaign for David Moyes' side after a fresh hamstring problem. The setback comes as Everton chase European qualification in the final weeks of the Premier League season.
The centre-back was carried off in the 87th minute of the 2-1 Merseyside derby defeat against Liverpool at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Branthwaite looked distressed and left the field in tears after trying to continue following a collision with Cody Gakpo.
Everton later confirmed that Jarrad Branthwaite’s new injury affects a different part of the hamstring from the problem that required surgery in October. Medical scans showed no further operation is needed, and the defender now starts another rehabilitation
spell with Everton staff at Finch Farm.
Everton explained on social media on Wednesday that Jarrad Branthwaite suffered the injury during the derby against Liverpool and is unlikely to return before the season ends. The club also stressed that the issue is separate from the hamstring area that sidelined Branthwaite for five months earlier in the campaign.
An update on Jarrad Branthwaite.pic.twitter.com/gsjig1a3vqEverton (@Everton) April 22, 2026
This is another interruption for Jarrad Branthwaite, who already missed the first five months of Everton’s season following hamstring surgery in October. Branthwaite only came back into the side in January, earning 10 appearances in all competitions and starting seven of those matches for Everton.
Before the injury, Jarrad Branthwaite produced a strong display for Everton against Liverpool. Branthwaite led the team in accurate passes with 32 and clearances with six. Only James Garner made more tackles with nine, while Branthwaite’s four challenges matched Vitalii Mykolenko and Iliman Ndiaye.
Everton sit 10th in the Premier League table and are three points behind Brighton, who hold the Europa League spot after beating Chelsea on Tuesday. The Opta supercomputer gives Everton an 8.7% chance of finishing sixth, with five league games remaining to decide their European hopes.
Those final fixtures see Everton face West Ham, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Tottenham. Without Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton must adjust defensively while completing the defender’s recovery programme at Finch Farm, aiming to have Branthwaite fully fit for the start of the next campaign.
