Stubbs said: "You can sense Liverpool fans are not looking forward to the game because we are playing well. They haven't had a great season by their standards and they would probably admit that. We are on a par with each other this season, and we haven't been in a position like that for a number of seasons now.
"Being so close in the table and both aiming for the same target makes this derby extra special. We deserve to be considered on a par with them. The boys are really looking forward to the game and we want to win it."