Ashley Williams has revealed he felt "sick" when he realised close friend Seamus Coleman had suffered an horrific leg fracture as the pair went head-to-head with World Cup qualification at stake.
The Wales skipper faced Coleman's Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Friday evening, and has admitted he did not know how seriously injured the full-back was in a challenge by Neil Taylor until after the final whistle.
Williams told Everton's official website, www.evertonfc.com: "I didn't really see the tackle. All I saw was the red card and my initial reaction was to go to the referee.
"At the time, I was in the swing of things. It took me a minute to realise, 'Actually, he hasn't got up,' and that it was Seamus who was down.
"At that point, I wasn't thinking about the game or us being down to 10 men. I started thinking, 'Is my mate okay?'. That was when I went over to him.
"Even people who don't know Seamus like I do were gutted."
"Even at that point, I didn't know it was so serious. After the game, I went straight into their dressing room to speak to James McCarthy, and he told me Seamus had gone to hospital and had broken his leg.
"It was just a weird feeling from everyone around the dressing rooms. Even people who don't know Seamus like I do were gutted. Neil Taylor was completely gutted. He was sitting on the floor virtually in tears.
"He asked me to check if it would be okay to go to see Seamus in hospital. He got his number off me and sent him a text straight away.
"When I found out it was a broken leg, it made me feel sick inside because it's someone who I like so much and is one of my mates.
"He's going to have up and down days, but the way he is, I'm sure his determination will help with his rehab and hopefully we'll have him back sooner rather than later and stronger than ever."
Phil Jagielka said Everton are targeting a first Merseyside derby win at Anfield in 18 years in honour of their injured team-mate.
The Toffees travel across Stanley Park on Saturday hellbent on revenge after December’s last-gasp defeat to their bitter rivals at Goodison Park.
Sadio Mane’s injury-time strike gave Liverpool a 1-0 win, and Jagielka said Donegal man Coleman’s dreadful leg break can add as extra motivation for Ronald Koeman’s men.
"There are two massive games coming up (they travel to Manchester United midweek) and that's one thing Seamus will want us to do, to play well and get some good results," Jagielka told the club website.
"There'll be no incentive needed but the circumstances over the last few days might add a bit of a motivational edge on our behalf.
"We want to go out there and play well and it will be nice if we can all get to speak to Seamus beforehand."
Everton, who are seventh in the league, last won at Anfield in 1999, while their last victory at Old Trafford came in 2013.
Both Liverpool and Manchester United have lost just once at home in the league this season.
James McCarthy will also be out for the Blues.
The midfielder pulled out in the warm-up before last Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Wales at the Aviva Stadium after the recurrence of a hamstring injury.
