View from Turf Moor: 'I must sit on fence'
Born in the city and a huge Liverpool fan, but having spent almost a decade with Burnley during his professional career, Graham Branch is perfectly placed to assess today's clash between the two sides – though that will not include a proper prediction.
The Reds' Boxing Day encounter for 2014 involves a tough assignment at Turf Moor, against a team that have been steadily growing into Barclays Premier League life in recent weeks, particularly on home soil.
A man who knows both the club and the area well is Branch, a versatile former wide-man who spent a significant portion of his playing days with the Clarets after starting out at Tranmere Rovers and working under John Aldridge.
He will be in attendance when a boisterous atmosphere greets Brendan Rodgers' charges this afternoon, and ahead of the encounter outlined what Liverpool can expect from both the opposition and the crowd.
You are from Liverpool and you had a long spell at Burnley - tell us about your links with the two teams...
Liverpool have always been my team. Ever since I was a baby, kicking around a ball, I wanted to play for Liverpool - that was my dream. I fulfilled the dream to be a footballer; I think most Scouse kids want to be a footballer, so I fulfilled that part of my dream. But I wish I would have played for Liverpool. I played at Anfield against Michael Owen, that was as close as I got. But it was close enough. Burnley was a little bit further down the road. I spent nine great years there. It is a great club, a huge club. The supporters are fanatical. It will be a very good game.
You narrowly missed out on a famous FA Cup tie between Burnley and Liverpool in 2005...
I got injured, I think it was my calf. I didn't play and I remember watching it from the stands. I remember exactly where I sat and, to be honest, I was devastated. That would have been my time to play Liverpool, my ideal opportunity to play against my dream team. Burnley won through a silly own goal and it's still talked about to this day. It's a shame but that's just the way it goes.
How much does a result like that resonate in a place like Burnley, recording a win over Liverpool and in the FA Cup as well?
It still does and I think it will for a long time. Liverpool are world-famous. People in Burnley still talk about that game and they will even more now because they will be hoping that happens again when they play on Boxing Day. It will always be in people's memories, without a shadow of a doubt.
What can you tell us about the current Burnley? Who are the threats in their team?
Offensively, Burnley are a good team. They don't concede many goals. Up top, they have got Danny Ings - talking to a lot of Burnley fans, as I do, he is a very good talent. I think it's going to be a fascinating game. Burnley are on the way up, they have had some good results. Liverpool are up and down a little bit. It all depends on which Liverpool turn up. But, on the other hand, Burnley are more than capable of giving Liverpool a very tough game.
How much will the crowd play a part? It's the festive period and a big team coming to town, so they will be really behind Burnley...
Hugely - the buzz around Turf Moor will be immense. Boxing Day is probably the most atmospheric game of the season. And Liverpool are coming to town. It's going to be massive. I'm going myself, so I'm hoping it's going to be a good atmosphere. I think it's going to be a really good day.
Is there any sense of mixed emotions for you when this fixture comes up?
I've got to be very careful what I say! Being very diplomatic, I would go for a draw. As long as it's a good game and everyone enjoys themselves - which I'm sure they will, because they are two very good teams - I'm sure it will be a good day.
Finally, we have to ask you for a prediction...
I'm going to sit on the fence. I really do think it's going to be very close. Burnley are doing very well, Liverpool are indifferent. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.