not been for a while myself although I do visit the area quite a lot, pub I used to use before a match was the Black horse on County road afterwards I may have used the TAXI club. you could walk from Kirkdale or you can get a bit closer, it depends on how you feel at the time not sure I can advise what time you want to be there though when I was an ever present I used to get there about 2 hours before the kick off. I do not think you need to be that early any more though