With no silverware to play for and Champions League qualification a distant nine points away with eight matches remaining, the best the Reds can realistically hope for is a Europa League spot.
The surprise defeat at Southampton before the international break brought the momentum of three successive league victories to a crashing halt.
Defender Jamie Carragher has admitted thoughts of a top-four finish "have been put to bed" by defeat at St Mary's but Rodgers insists there is no chance of the players switching off.
"The Southampton result was disappointing and unexpected because we were in great form and playing well," he said.
"It (the international break) has given us a chance to analyse and reflect on it and sometimes you have to after a performance like that when there were no positives.
"It is very important the season doesn't peter out and it can't do.
"We are at a stage of the season when we don't have a trophy to play for as such but we have to fight.
"This is a club where supporters pay good money home and away to watch the club.
"This is a club where there is institutional pride playing for Liverpool.
"Of course we always want to be challenging for trophies but if that is not the case you represent the shirt and the city and every game is vital.
"Every position we can grow in the Premier League this season is important for us.
"We are looking to finish the season with strength and continue. It is very important we finish the season well as that can provide a really good platform for us for next season."
Even though Europa League football is by no means a certainty for Liverpool, Rodgers is confident they will still be able to attract the right players in the summer without it.
"Whether we are in Europe or not we are going to be able to attract good players here," he added.
"That (Europe) is where we would like to be but if it isn't to be then I still believe we will be able to get in players who can improve us.
"That is the challenge, to bring those players in over the coming months."
Liverpool head to Aston Villa tomorrow looking to avenge what was the worst day of Rodgers' first six months in charge when they lost 3-1 at Anfield in yet another shock result.
"Up until that point it was probably the most disappointing (game) because we were in good form going into the game," he said.
"We started the game well and if we had got the early goal the story could have been different.
"But it was a turning point for the better, because the game was a real setback in terms of the result but we had success after that which showed the group was ready to respond.
"We analysed the game and we improved from that. Our goals and mentality have improved significantly.
"It was a disappointing result but it actually helped us in ways going forward which will be important for us."
Villa are just one place above the relegation zone as manager Paul Lambert has struggled to integrate many of the club's promising youngsters.
Rodgers, and by association owners Fenway Sports Group whose transfer policy is focused on younger players with better value for money, has also been criticised by fans for buying potential and not established stars but he accepts there is a fine line to be maintained.
"It is vital you have experience and everyone wants, because of rules coming into football and business-wise, young players so everyone is looking for the players for tomorrow," said the Reds boss.
"But what you have to ensure is you have players for today and with those players you need experience and guys who can help the young players.
"It is no good having players for tomorrow and players who will be good in three or four years' time if you haven't got the players who can help them grow on the field. The balance is key and that is something we are trying to get here.
"I've said over time Paul Lambert will turn the team into a real side that can be challenging and a competitive team and he is an outstanding manager that will do very well."
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