One huge difference in Everton against Arsenal was the running power of their midfield. Onana, Doucoure and Gueye all ran with the ball causing great problems for the Arsenal midfield. It was therefore unsurprising that Thomas Partey committed 2 fouls for Arsenal in this match, both for fouls on Everton midfielders.

For Liverpool, Bajcetic is their Thomas Partey in that defensive midfield role that helps protect the defence. Bajcetic has worked his way into the starting line-up recently and the young Spaniard is on course to start his 5th match in a row for the club in this match. A lot has been spoken about the lack of physicality in Liverpool’s midfield so coming up against one of the most athletic midfields in the Premier League will give Bajcetic even more work to do than usual.

Bajcetic has committed 1.82 fouls per 90 so far this season, although this in in limited minutes he has committed at least 1 foul in all his last 3 matches. Considering Liverpool’s struggles in midfield and Everton’s strength in midfield,  Bajcetic will surely be forced into making fouls in this match.

Onana has been a great signing for Everton and was one of their standout players last weekend against Arsenal. His tenacity is important to the side but is something that has seen him booked in 3 of his last 5 matches. Onana does tackle around 75% of dribblers he faces but what makes him commit a lot of fouls is the number of tackles he attempts.

He has made 50 tackles this season, the 9th most of any player in the league and when he doesn’t make the tackle, he usually brings the player down. He will be pressing up on to midfielders such as Keita and Thiago who are technically strong but don’t have much physicality so will go down easily under a challenge.

Thiago draws 1.95 fouls per match and Onana commits 1.82 fouls per match, a pairing that will surely lead to fouls in this match. Onana has committed at least 2 fouls in 4 of his last 6 matches and in this derby game I expect him to commit at least 2 fouls again in this match.

Mo Salah has attempted 3.25 take-ons per 90 this season and despite Liverpool’s poor form he is still their main man for attacking and goalscoring. Salah will face up to Vitaly Mykolenko in this match, the Ukrainian has committed 0.96 fouls per 90 so far this season.

Mykolenko committed 3 fouls in his last match against Arsenal and committed a foul the last time Everton faced Liverpool. In his 7 matches against the ‘big six’ he has made at least one foul in 6 of the matches.

Against Arsenal all 3 fouls were from him throwing himself into challenges he was never going to win, in a Merseyside derby he will want to leave a mark early and I expect him to commit at least 1 foul, if not more.

The best way to judge how Everton will play in this match is to look at their last match. Everton’s central midfielders were so good and drew 4 fouls between them against Arsenal. Gabriel started at centre back and committed a foul on Idrissa Gueye in the match.

Neal Maupay also came on up front and was fouled in the Arsenal match, Liverpool’s centre backs will have a tough match here. Joe Gomez has started all of Liverpool’s last 4 matches and the English centre-back has committed 1.06 fouls per 90 so far this season.

Gomez has committed at least 1 foul in all of his last 5 starts for Liverpool and will have to deal with a physical Dominic Calvert-Lewin in this game. I think Joe Gomez looks good value to commit at least 1 foul in this match.