An unsung hero of the Merseyside Derby

Last night the city of Liverpool watched its last ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Red cards, Michael Oliver and James Tarkowski might have stolen the headlines, yet it was Jarrad Branthwaite's defensive performance that went under the radar.

Jarrad Branthwaite’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:

100% aerial duels won
100% tackles won
60 total touches
16 clearances
7/11 long passes
10 passes into the final third
2 shots blocked
1 assist
0 x dribbled past

Outstanding. 🧱 pic.twitter.com/INx4sxfo61

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 12, 2025

The Englishman was arguably not at fault for either of Liverpool’s goals and provided the assist for Everton’s first with a smart quick free-kick directly to goalscorer Beto’s feet. Branthwaite outshone his defensive counterparts making 16 clearances and two blocks without being dribbled past once.

His performance proved why Manchester United submitted bids of £50 million for his signature last summer. Despite not leaving the centre half is still a high-priority signing for the Red Devils, with a big-money move next summer potentially imminent.

EVERTON TAKE THE LEAD!

Beto keeps his composure in front of goal as Jarrad Branthwaite's free-kick catches the Liverpool backline sleeping 🎯

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/tIqIpbW7TD

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025

A defensive stalwart this season

The Carlisle-born 22-year-old has played the full 90 minutes of Everton’s last 16 games in all competitions since recovering from a groin strain in October, forming a tough partnership with Tarkowski. He ranks fourth in the Premier League (amongst players with over 15 appearances) for clearances per 90 with 6.36 this season and he made his senior England debut in June 2024. Receiving a call-up to the Three Lions’ provisional European Championship squad.

Branthwaite’s rise to the top has been rapid, only becoming a real part of the Toffees’ first-team picture last season. A loan abroad to PSV Eindhoven in the 22/23 campaign was a vital stepping stone in his journey. That season he made 36 appearances for the Dutch outfit, scoring four goals and getting the chance to test himself in the Europa League. Branthwaite also got the opportunity to play alongside Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo on his way to winning the Dutch Cup under the management of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy on Branthwaite: “It was a joy to work with Jarrad. He came as a young lad on loan. He learned a lot at PSV & we won trophies together. The way he improved was fantastic, through hard work & through training every day. There’s a great future ahead for him.” pic.twitter.com/FgqMMUzkVM

— Ian Croll (@Iancroll1) February 2, 2025

Standing at six foot five, Branthwaite is a monster in the air and a big factor behind why it took 26 match days for Everton to concede a header in the 23/24 season. A lot of strong physical attributes at a young age are combined with a developing technical ability on the ball to produce a defender that can function in a low-block or as a front-footed defender.

Whether he is playing under Sean Dyche or David Moyes, Branthwaite has adapted. He reads the game excellently and knows how to execute a timely challenge or throw himself in the way of a shot. Both are important skills when playing for a team with the second-lowest average possession in the league (39.9%). His mentor and partner, Tarkowski, is a player who embodies Everton’s system with almost 300 appearances in the Premier League and almost 150 in the EFL.

Praise from Ancelotti

Carlos Ancelotti had praise for the youngster back when he handed him his Everton debut at the end of the 19/20 campaign. “He is really calm with the ball, really comfortable, and really aggressive without the ball. He can be a fantastic player for us.” said the five-times Champions League-winning coach who has overseen the upbringing of many fantastic defenders in the last few decades.

👏 | A first @premierleague start for 18-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite. 💙

Good luck, @Jarradbranthwa1! #SHUEVE pic.twitter.com/lwIGgS7t3E

— Everton (@Everton) July 20, 2020

Going forward Branthwaite is a player England fans should be excited about, with John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker all reaching the latter stages of their career. He is part of a new generation of powerful central defenders along with Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill and Taylor Harwood-Bellis who have all had a presence in the national team set up recently. Whether he chooses to become a hero at Everton or sets his sights on a higher European level is yet to be determined, but Branthwaite is a name that will continue to be mentioned in the Premier League and national team for years to come.