Everton defender Sylvain Distin has accused Liverpool striker Luis Suarez of almost breaking his ankle during the Merseyside derby on October 28.

The Uruguay international was booked after a late challenge on the 34-year-old during the 2-2 at Goodison Park, with Suarez insisting he did not mean to harm the Toffees man – suggesting his own studs were caught in the turf beforehand.

Distin’s tweeted: “Thanks for the concern. My ankle is all good considering it could have been broken.”

Suarez courted controversy earlier on in the game by celebrating Liverpool’s first goal with a mock dive in front of David Moyes following pre-match comments from the Everton manager accusing him of simulation in recent weeks.

And Moyes believes the striker could have been sent off for his tackle on Distin.

“It’s over the top, down the back of the leg. [Suarez] was a very lucky man to stay on the pitch for his tackle,” he told BBC Sport.

However, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers disagreed with Moyes’ interpretation, insisting the tackle was clumsy rather than malicious.

Rodgers added: “I didn’t think it was a red card. Sometimes you get that with a striker, when they are just a fraction late. They are trying to time it just as they pass it.”