Everton face a nervous wait on Jarrad Branthwaite, after the defender was stretchered off the pitch during the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.
The Toffees lost the first ever Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Virgil van Dijk’s late header breaking blue hearts.
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Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton FC reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/MB Media
Everton perhaps didn’t deserve to lose. But ultimately, the Toffees needed to show more quality than they did in the late stages of the game, especially with Liverpool having their third choice goalkeeper between the sticks.
As well as the sickening feeling about the defeat, there is also now real worry over Jarrad Branthwaite.
He was forced off with what looks to be another hamstring issue, with Moyes admitting he is worried about Branthwaite after the game.
And arguably, this setback just increases the need for Everton go all in on Marcos Senesi this summer.
Everton must push hard for Marcos Senesi amid Jarrad Branthwaite worries
We are yet to get word about Branthwaite’s injury and its severity.
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But it’s never a good sign when someone goes off on a stretcher. And Moyes’ comments suggest he could now face another spell on the sidelines.
As amazing as Branthwaite is, his injury record isn’t great and this is a frustration for Everton.
Jarrad Branthwaite playing for Everton.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
And potentially, his latest setback only increases the need to sign a player who is similar in terms of profile – and one man who fits this bill is Marcos Senesi.
The Bournemouth defender is out of contract this summer and is set to leave as a free agent.
Given his quality and consistency over the years, there are a number of sides monitoring him and looking to snap him up.
Everton are one such club interested in Senesi, and the Toffees should really be thinking about pushing extra hard for the Argentina international now.
Branthwaite is a left-footed ball-playing defender, and Senesi is cut from a very similar cloth.
Data recently emerged showing Senesi is one of the top centre-backs in Europe for forward passes completed and as we know, Branthwaite is always looking to break lines.
Everton face fierce competition for Senesi
As a result of Senesi’s contract winding down, he is a man with a lot of eyes on him.
He is a proven performer in the Premier League, and therefore, some of the division’s top sides are eyeing him.
It was claimed earlier this week that Tottenham Hotspur are leading the way for Senesi at the moment.
Marcos Senesi playing for Bournemouth.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But Liverpool have also been linked with Senesi, as have clubs from overseas such as Barcelona and Juventus.
With Branthwaite continuing to show fragility, Everton’s need for this player has definitely increased and hopefully, we’ll see The Friedkin Group launch a real charm offensive.
One would suspect that having European football to offer may be an important factor though, so Everton really need to finish the season well.
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