Dietmar Hamann believes that the Merseyside derby is fiercer than the Manchester or Munich derbies.

Liverpool travel to Goodison Park to square off against Everton in the first derby of the season and one can be sure that the match will be an explosive affair.

Former Liverpool star Hamann featured in 10 Merseyside derbies throughout his career and the midfielder has revealed that the clash between the Reds and the Toffees are more intense than the derbies he experienced in both Manchester and Munich..

Hamann told the Liverpool Echo: "I always found Merseyside derby games that little bit more fierce. I played in derbies in both Munich and Manchester, but they weren't the same.

"Especially the ones at Goodison, they were usually a bit more frantic and aggressive than the ones at Anfield. I am sure it will be the same story at the weekend.

"It was great to play at Goodison. I always enjoyed it. The fans are right on top of you there, and I think that adds to the atmosphere.

"Obviously when I played, Liverpool were the more successful team, and so they always wanted to peg us back and show that they were capable of matching us.

"We had a pretty good record against them, and came out on top a few times, but derbies are different games. You've got to be prepared for the battle."