Ndiaye ‘distraught’ as ‘really bad’ Everton injury news emerges v Liverpool
David Moyes was handed an incredibly unlucky blow during the first half as Everton battled against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Goodison Park erupted as Beto slipped in behind the Reds’ defence, slotting under Alisson to give the Toffees a 1-0 lead before Alexis Mac Allister popped up in the penalty area five minutes later to equalise.
With the Premier League clash marking Everton’s final Merseyside derby at home before moving to Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, it was not all smooth sailing for Moyes’ team.
Iliman Ndiaye suffers crushing injury blow at Everton
After just 25 minutes, star winger Iliman Ndiaye was forced off the pitch through injury, being replaced by Jack Harrison.
Speaking live via Sky Sports News [12 February, 7:53pm], Tim Sherwood said: “Ndiaye’s down with an injury – it looks like it’s really bad, or bad enough to force him off the pitch. It’s self-inflicted really.
“He’s moving alright, walking off but Jack Harrison’s ready to come on. He’s shaking his head – he’ll have to leave the field. He’s playing the ball from left to right, dribbles and makes good contact with the ball.
“Szoboszlai comes alongside him, knocks him off balance, and he kicks the floor. It’s an absolute mis-kick onto the floor, rolling his ankle and knee. He’s distraught and has his head in his hands. It’s a big blow to Everton.”
David Moyes loses biggest star in Merseyside derby
Ndiaye has been a breath of fresh air since arriving from Marseille during the summer, notching six goals in 23 appearances in the Premier League, so this was a massive blow.
The Toffees did not just have a chance to move another three points away from the relegation zone, they had a chance to write themselves into the history books with the 120th Merseyside derby.
While he did blank in the recent 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, he had scored in three consecutive league matches, and he likely would have been a vital player for Moyes against Liverpool.
The Blues have been known to cause upsets against their bitter rivals before, but having been dealt a crushing blow so early in the game, that was made so much harder before the half-time mark.
Of course, the squad is so much more than one individual player but given Ndiaye’s performances so far this season, there is no hiding from how damaging his absence could be.
Many supporters will also be thinking ahead to his future absence, with some already fearing a long spell on the sidelines if the injury is more serious than first thought.
Few other players have made quite the same impact as the Senegalese winger, and with limited signings made during the winter transfer window, Moyes cannot afford to lose him on a long-term basis.