Stan Collymore firmly believes that the Merseyside Derby is the most intense rivalry he's ever been a part of. As Everton prepare to host Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday, the former Reds striker reflected on the battles he took part in over his career.

When probed on the most heated clashes that he had ever been a part of, the 54-year-old was quick to highlight the Merseyside Derby, given that numerous families across Liverpool have split loyalties. Speaking to the ECHO, Collymore explained: "I think the Merseyside Derby - I played at one in Goodison and it was just breathless.

"I remember it really well. I think we drew 1-1 and I got an assist for Robbie Fowler in the last minute - we were 1-0 down. And it was proper, sort of… I mean, the Premier League is fast as it is, but then you add a derby into the mix.

READ MORE: I snubbed Everton and Man Utd to sign for Liverpool – one club might have proved a better fit

READ MORE: What David Moyes said about Liverpool speaks volumes after Rafa Benitez Everton jibe

"I played in Bradford vs Leeds derbies - didn’t play in a Villa vs Birmingham derby but played Villa vs West Brom, Villa vs Wolves. East Midlands derbies... Forest against Derby, that was very intense as well. But I think the Merseyside Derby because of the sort of familial links.

"There are people in families that are split by Red and Blue, but that game at Goodison springs to mind because it was just… You just couldn’t have two seconds on the ball. Everything was tackles going in, it was wet, it was muddy. And like I say, we ended up getting a 1-1 draw, so without a doubt, my most intense experience of a derby was Everton against Liverpool at Goodison."

The game in which Collymore referred to took place at Goodison in April 1996 in front of a capacity crowd of 40,120. Andrei Kanchelskis opened the scoring for the hosts 18 minutes into the match when a thumping kick from Neville Southall bounced all the way into the Liverpool box due to the slick surface.

David James mistimed his collection, leaving John Ebbrell through on goal - albeit with a tight angle. The striker thumped it off the post, into the path of Kanchelskis, who smashed the ball into the back of an empty net as the home crowd erupted. However, Fowler equalised for the Reds with just three minutes of normal time left to play, when Collymore looped a ball into the box from the left-hand side of the pitch.

Fowler hit the ball first time with venom before wheeling off in celebration, ensuring that Liverpool made the short trip home from the stadium with a point to show for their efforts. Now Everton once more prepare to host Liverpool in the first Merseyside Derby of the 2024/25 campaign.

The game was initially slated for early December, however, it was called off due to dangerous conditions presented by Storm Darragh. Liverpool will hope to carry on their incredible run of form in the Premier League when they travel to Goodison on Wednesday, having faltered just once in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in September.

LFC: Join our WhatsApp community, sign up to a newsletter or listen to our podcasts HERE

With 17 wins and five draws, the Reds will hope to expand on their six-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. A rejuvenated Everton under David Moyes will look to upset the odds in the final derby at Goodison.

Everton currently sit in 16th, nine points clear of the relegation zone, with just six wins from 23 games this season. However, the tide looks to be slowly turning for Moyes, who has already match Sean Dyche's win tally with victories over Spurs, Brighton and Leicester.