Dietmar Hamann believes that the 216th Merseyside derby will be one of the closest contests in recent years.

The Blues entertain their fierce local rivals at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, and Hamann, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, thinks that the clash is too difficult to call due to both sides operating at a similar level.

"They're probably as close as they've been over the last 10 years," Hamann told Goal.com.

"I'm very impressed by what Brendan Rodgers has done so far but the work David Moyes has done is also fantastic.

"It's unbelievable what he has achieved there and the teams are as closely matched as they have been for a number of years."

Liverpool overcame Everton three times last season, including the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.