Liverpool hit by new injury shock as Henderson suffers derby blow

Jordan Henderson suffered an apparent groin injury in the Merseyside derby as Liverpool’s injury woes continued.

With Liverpool trailing to Richarlison’s early strike at Anfield, captain Henderson was forced off in the 30th minute. That was shortly after he went close to equalising with a superb volley which was well saved by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Henderson pulled up while tussling with Abdoulaye Doucoure and, though he attempted to carry on, he had to make way for Nathaniel Phillips.

It resulted in another makeshift, untested centre-back pairing of Phillips and Ozan Kabak for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who was already unable to call on Fabinho, himself a stand-in for Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk sustained a potentially season-ending knee injury in October’s reverse fixture at Goodison Park.

Liverpool’s defence was immediately tested after Henderson’s departure, with Alisson keeping out Seamus Coleman’s close-range header.

HALF-TIME Liverpool 0-1 Everton

Richarlison’s early strike gives Everton the lead at the break#LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/onzPCNJ7z5

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 20, 2021