There's nothing quite like a good, old-fashioned derby clash to get the blood coursing through the veins of hardened English Premier League fans and players alike.

When the competition's heavyweights meet there is always a massive aura of expectation, but there is something different and more personal when rivals from the same town, city or area collide.

Dietmar Hamman holds the Barclays Premier League trophy. provided to China Daily

In London, those clashes come thick and fast as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham and West Ham all reside in the top flight.

But outside of the capital, due to just two league meetings per season, Birmingham versus Aston Villa, Newcastle against Sunderland, the battle of the Manchesters, United and City, and, of course, Liverpool and Everton take on even greater significance.

For seven years and 191 games as a key midfielder at Liverpool, Dietmar Hamman lapped up the buzz of the famous Merseyside derby.

"The preparations don't change leading up to the derby game, but everyone is aware of it and knows it will be quite intense and what it means to a lot of people," the former German international told China Daily on before Sunday night's (Beijing time) Liverpool-Everton encounter at Goodison Park.

"On the day of the game the atmosphere is so different. Everything (on the field) is a little more intense and faster. There's a lot at stake and the more important the game, the more you want to play. So I really enjoyed those games."

The team in blue is a slight favorite for this season's opening derby, but 39-year-old Hamman, now a popular TV pundit, says the game could go either way.

"Liverpool have been slow starters over the past few years, but both teams seem to be playing well at the moment. I think it will be a tight game because there is not much between the sides."

The Reds have been enduing a fallow period over the past couple of years and have dropped from the ranks of the EPL's elite.

While the famous club underwent a highly-publicized and criticized ownership change in 2010, Hamman believes some poor personnel choices have led to the club's fall from grace.

"The players they brought in over the past few years have not really worked out. They spent a lot of money and those players have not performed as they were expected to," he said. "They just need to regroup now. They have a number of young players coming in who have done ever so well and with two or three additions in January, hopefully they won't be too far off (the leaders).

"As it is now, I think top six would be a realistic goal."

When, he's not working in the media or spending time with his wife and two daughters at home in Manchester, Hamman is studying for his professional coaching license and his grand dream would be to step out as manager at Anfield one day.

"It's very competitive and I just want to keep my options open, I just want to take it step by step, but Liverpool would obviously be my dream job. One day it would be great to be back," said Hamann.

NOTE:

The Barclays Premier League reaches 640 million homes in over 200 countries worldwide. Title sponsor Barclays is one of the largest banks in the world with operations in over 50 countries, providing personal, corporate, investment banking and wealth management services. For further information go to www.barclays.com