Andy Burnham gives view from opposition

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, who is a life-long Evertonian and Goodison Park regular, played a pivotal part in the events leading up to the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report in September 2012.

Having been moved by the public's response to his speech at the 20th anniversary memorial service in 2009, the Aintree-born politician worked tirelessly alongside families and campaigners in their battle on behalf of the 96 supporters who lost their lives.

For those reasons, he will always be a welcome presence around Anfield; however, today, when Everton clash with Liverpool in the derby, Andy insists he'll be opting for the sanctuary of his own home, hoping to see the Blues play with a bit more belief than in recent years. 

Andy, are the nerves kicking in yet?

Derby butterflies always land from about Friday lunchtime onwards for me. I made the terrible mistake of watching the last Anfield derby with Steve Rotheram in a pub and I can assure you that I won't be doing that again. I'll be faithfully ensconced in the bosom of the Burnham family today without any Kopites around.

What do you make of the two sides' starts to the season?

They've been a little shaky. We've both had a bit of a period of readjustment going on. I think that's due to a World Cup hangover. The players who were there have come back and not quite been in gear. So that's disrupted the start of the season for both teams. I also think that both of us are waiting for the season to start in earnest and maybe for one of us that will happen today. And I'm obviously hoping and praying that it's for us.

[SLIDESHOW]

Who is the one Liverpool player you'd love to see wearing Blue today?

I would have to say Raheem Sterling. He's an unbelievable talent. He's really got it all and fast becoming a player who looks like he's going to fulfil his potential. I hate to say it, but I think you've got a great one there. Liverpool have some phenomenal players, but the big problem for Everton would be Sterling.

And the one Everton player who we should be fearful of...

There's a couple I'd pick out. I think Romelu Lukaku can be a game-changer, he can be a big-game player and he's shown signs in the last couple of games that he's getting back to his best. So it could be Big Rom's stage today and I think it could all be set up for him. He's certainly got the talent - that's never been in doubt. I think Evertonians are just waiting to see it more regularly. Otherwise, Seamus Coleman often has a good derby and he's playing really well at the moment. There's strength on our flanks with Coleman, Kevin Mirallas and Leighton Baines, so there's no shortage of attacking options. That's been reflected in the way we've been playing this season. It's just that, defensively, we've been a little shaky at times.

What's your worst derby moment?

I could go on for a long time here! You'll know what I'm going to say now - it's the idea of playing 12 men at Anfield! I know this particular memory wasn't at Anfield but it was in the derby and it's Clive Thomas. I think for us he embodies the unfairness that we feel we've suffered down the years. As a kid watching that moment, it was kind of life-changing, in terms of the feeling that it created; that we were forever destined to miss out on the big moments. Then there's the Alan Hansen handball at Wembley, which I remember very vividly. Then there's Don Hutchinson's disallowed goal. Those are the memories that linger in the back of your mind going into derby games. As you know, we're quick to claim that there's a 12th man against us!

Rub our noses in it, then, and tell us the finest derby moment you can recall?

We haven't had many have we? Let's be honest! I'm not spoiled for choice here, I think that's fair to say. I guess Andy Johnson and the 3-0 at Goodison Park in 2006 would be the one that sticks out in my mind. That was the most convincing derby display I've ever seen from Everton.

Describe to us the best-case scenario for Everton this afternoon...

I want to see us playing with confidence. That's number one. In recent times, we've been playing ourselves at Anfield and that for me is something I want to see end. This idea that we're going there already half-beaten. There's no reason for it. It's kind of crept in and I don't know exactly when it began to creep in, but it has. We never used to lack that confidence at Anfield in the old days. But a bit of the fight has gone and a bit of the belief has gone from our recent displays. The score can often be unpredictable, so I just want to see an Everton team going there believing and almost expecting to win. That's what I'm looking for. The twists and the turns of the game can go against you - you can't legislate for those - but you can legislate for the belief. And I think Evertonians have a right to expect that belief, given the quality that we now have and the manager who is there. That's absolutely objective number one. I'd love to see us get an early goal. But to move into a new phase, we need to see that confidence and that belief from the team.

Prediction?

I've said that I want to see belief from the team, so I'm going to have to match that and say 2-1 to us. I think today, finally, is the day that we end this derby hoodoo at Anfield. It's going to be a close game, but I think we're just going to be able to edge it. It might upset your readers, but 2-1 Everton!