Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is unlikely to feature again for David Moyes' side this season after sustaining a hamstring injury against Liverpool on Sunday. 

Branthwaite was in tears after he was stretchered off the pitch in the 87th minute of Everton's 2-1 defeat in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

The 23-year-old appeared to aggravate the injury following a coming together with Cody Gakpo, with the Everton defender struggling to continue after the incident. 

It is yet another setback for Branthwaite, who missed the first five months of the Toffees' season after undergoing hamstring surgery back in October before returning in January. 

Everton confirmed that Branthwaite's latest injury is unrelated to the one he sustained earlier in the campaign, and he will continue his rehabilitation at the club's training ground. 

"Everton can confirm that Jarrad Branthwaite sustained a hamstring injury during Sunday's Merseyside derby," Everton said in a statement on social media on Wednesday. 

"The injury is unrelated to the hamstring area, which required surgery in October, with a scan confirming that no procedure is needed this time around. 

"Branthwaite will now undergo rehabilitation at Finch Farm with Everton's medical team and is unlikely to feature again this season."

Branthwaite enjoyed a strong showing against Liverpool, registering team-high totals for accurate passes (32) and clearances (six), while only James Garner (nine) attempted more tackles than his four (level with Vitalii Mykolenko and Iliman Ndiaye). 

He has made 10 appearances in all competitions, starting seven of those, but will now miss the business end of Everton's season as they look to secure European football. 

The Toffees are 10th in the Premier League and just three points behind Brighton, who, after their victory over Chelsea on Tuesday, occupy the Europa League position. 

Everton are assigned an 8.7% of finishing in sixth by the Opta supercomputer, with their final five league fixtures pitting them against West Ham, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Tottenham.