Three key battles ahead of Everton’s trip to Merseyside rivals Liverpool

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Georginio Wijnaldum vs Tom Davies

One of the biggest battles on the Anfield pitch on Sunday afternoon will take place right in the centre of the park, when Georginio Wijnaldum and 18-year-old Tom Davies will face up together.

Since bursting onto the scene at Goodison Park this season, Davies has been a hugely underrated catalyst in Everton’s success in the Premier League and their unlikely outside challenge for a Champions League spot, adding a sense of youthful bravery to the midfield alongside Gareth Barry.

He will come up against a Liverpool player in equally impressive form of late, taking it upon himself to lead the midfield and dictate the play in the absence of captain Jordan Henderson through injury.

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Wijnaldum has a knack for turning up for the big games this season though, scoring the winner against Manchester City, equaliser against Chelsea and the clincher against Arsenal less than a month ago; with five goals and four assists this campaign, the Dutchman will be a danger again.

Yet Davies’ raw talent will provide a stern test for Wijnaldum, with his ability to break down the play and turn defence into attack key for any hopes Everton have of leaving with all three points.

In nine matches where he’s started this year Everton have won 67% of their matches, in comparison to just 40% without him in the team, and his desire to compete visibly has an effect on the players around him at Goodison Park; he raises his game, and the others respond and do the same.

With both players equally as inclined as the other to join in on attacks as well as being calm and dependable in defence, it could be a blockbuster battle on an already pivotal Merseyside derby.