Everton: The view from the opposition

Kilbane faced the Reds on 20 occasions during his playing career, turning out for West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, Hull City and, of course, the club's neighbours from across Stanley Park.

In all, the Republic of Ireland international played his part in five clashes between the Reds and the Blues - and so he's perfectly placed to talk us through how the players might be feeling and what he thinks will unfold... 

Kevin, first of all, can you put into words what it's like to play in a Merseyside derby?

It's such a wonderful occasion. It's not just the 90 minutes around the game - that's the thing I'm sure any player will tell you. It's spoken about in the lead up - two weeks before, three weeks before. And it's certainly spoke about after, until the next derby comes around. I'm very proud that I played in a number of those games throughout my career. When you win a derby, it's certainly a highlight. I've been on the receiving end of a couple of defeats, mind...

Tell us more about the build-up. As a player, how much of that do you feel and see?

I think when performances and results are going well, it's a lot easier going into a derby. When things aren't going as you'd want, that's when you start to feel it more. You start to feel that tension, you start to read the papers more and you start to watch a bit more television around the game. That's, perhaps, when it starts to have an effect on a player's mindset. Plenty of players will say that you've got to prepare like it's any other game - but it rarely materialises like that. You try to do the same things that you do week-in, week-out. But this is extra-special and I think the players will have known that when they finished their final training session and they were heading home. There will be nerves, it goes without saying.

You're in the tunnel, having done the warm-up and people are milling around waiting for a final team talk - set the scene for us...

You'll be trying to concentrate on your own thing, unless maybe you know one of the Liverpool players. I would have come in close proximity to Steve Finnan when he was playing for Liverpool and we were good friends since our Ireland U21 days, so I'd known him a long time before we'd played against each other. You might manage a bit of a laugh if you come in contact with someone you know - one or two words. Other than that, you're trying to block out everything else that is going on around you. I wouldn't want to say you're ignoring the opposition, but I think it does become a bit like that. You'll say very little words to each other. Once the warm-up is done, that's when you need to switch on.

You walk out of the tunnel and Goodison - in today's case - is rocking. What goes through your head?

Goodison and Anfield are extra special, especially when you're coming up those steps. You're beneath the stand and you're walking up into this cauldron. When you do come out of the tunnel, that's when it can hit you - that nervousness. Goodison is exactly like that. It will be electric today. The players will feel it as soon as they walk out of that tunnel in front of a packed crowd and it will be another derby that has so many different stories to be told within the game.

You mention stories there - how about the potential for this to be Steven Gerrard's final derby?

He's scored some key goals in the derby. When he's played in the derby he's raised his level and I'm sure he'll be trying to do that again. He was actually sent off for a tackle on me in the Merseyside derby [in 2006] at Anfield. He got two bookings quite quickly in the game. I've played against him when I was at Everton, Sunderland, Wigan and Hull and you've just got to admire what he has done in his career and what he has achieved and how good a player he is. I'm a huge admirer of his. I hope his last Merseyside derby doesn't end so well, mind you! But for him, personally, and what he's achieved in those derbies, where you have to raise your level of performance and go above and beyond, you have to give him credit.

What's your take on the form of the two sides coming into this game?

I was at the Macron Stadium when Liverpool dominated Bolton. I thought they were outstanding on the night. But I think Everton's level of performances have been improving steadily. I was at the FA Cup game at Goodison against West Ham and they were quite poor on the night. They managed to get a replay when Lukaku scored in injury time. I think that was a bit of a catalyst for them. Since then, they've been playing really well. They put in a really good performance at Upton Park, with 10 men. Last week at Palace, it was another good display. Liverpool have been moving in the right direction over the last two months themselves. Both sides are showing confidence now. There's real optimism in both camps and I just hope it can be continued until the end of the season, because I think they both have a good chance of achieving in the last few months of the season.

If you had to pick one player from the Everton side, who Liverpool fans should be fearful of, who would you chose?

I'm not too sure whether Kevin Mirallas will start, but I think he is a wonderful player. He could be the key. Throughout the side they have Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, but I think if you're looking for that extra something in the final third, I think you've got to look at someone like Mirallas. Hopefully he'll be fit and raring to go in the game. But look at Ross Barkley as well. We talked about Steven Gerrard - the Scouser in the Merseyside derby, stepping up to the plate. Can Ross do that himself for the Blue half? There's a lot of expectancy on his shoulders as well. If he can deliver a performance in a derby, it could be his time to start to progress.

Have you got a prediction for us?

It'll be tight. I'm not going to sit on the fence for you and I'm going to go for a Blue win. I'll say 2-1 to Everton.

Just finally, can you tell us more about what you're up to now you've finished playing and, in particular, about your charity commitments?

I'm very closely linked to the Down's Syndrome Association. My daughter, Elsie, was born with Down's Syndrome and it's something that I've been able to do a lot more charity work for since I've finished playing. I've managed to get involved in various events. I'm now running the London Marathon again in April, which I'm going to get myself in gear to train up for. Hopefully I can raise some funds for that. I'm involved with the DS Active scheme, which has been introduced in the last few years and helps people with Down's Syndrome get involved in football, playing against other sides around the country. It's had a great response. It's a key area of my life now and one that I've been able to devote a bit of time to.

Click here to visit the Down's Syndrome Association's official website and click here to follow the association on Twitter.