While the Liverpool side will have been lifted by their 5-3 Europa League win over Young Boys, Sunday's game could see the high emotion of the occasion weigh heavily on the players' shoulders.
"First and foremost, it's our opportunity to commemorate the findings and pay respects for the families and the people who have worked tirelessly for 23 years," Rodgers said on Friday.
"It's an important day because they deserve that respect from both teams and both supporters. Then we'll move onto the game, which will be equally important.
"This is a game that I've grown up with as the biggest game in British football, Liverpool versus Manchester United."
It's two massive clubs, iconic clubs worldwide, and you fight for the right on the field.
Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool may have made their worst start to a season in over two decades by failing to yet pick up a home win - but breaking that poor run would be all the sweeter if it was to happen against Man U.
While both managers are focused on taking that big win, they're also united in their message to the fans - respect the Hillsborough victims and families.
"It's an emotionally-charged game. I wouldn't sit here and tell the Liverpool supporters how to behave. How they have behaved over many years has been fantastic," Rodgers said.
"These are well-educated supporters who value humanity, so I've got no issues or problems there.
"The message has been clear from Sir Alex as well in relation to his supporters. So I'm sure that once we pay the tributes to the families, we can get on with the football."
He added: "It's two teams packed with very, very gifted players and, for us, we're really looking forward to the game - being at home.
"We've been simmering really . Our performance levels have been excellent in parts of the games. But we want to get a win, move us on and keep us moving forward."
And Rodgers is bringing back the big names who were rested during that Europa League win - skipper Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Joe Allen and Martin Kelly all return for Liverpool, while Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling look set to start.
"Everyone talks about the style that we're looking to introduce," Rodgers said.
"What's equally or even more important for me is the steel in the team, and we're starting to see that. That will be important for us going forward."
Meanwhile, his Man United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted his side may not be immune to the significance of the occasion.
"It's a possibility, I don't deny that. Human nature can be that way," he said.
"When we played Manchester City for the 50th anniversary of Munich, the players were so flat in the dressing room before the game. I even felt it myself.
"It was such an emotional day for us and it could be that way on Sunday."
Having already twice appealed to the fans to show respect on the day, Sir Alex added that further messages would be pointless as both teams had "done their bit".
But he did speak about the pressures facing football managers these days, in light of Rodgers' struggles since taking over at Liverpool.
It doesn't matter whether you're managing Port Vale, Liverpool or Manchester United - you have to get results.
Sir Alex Ferguson
"Any young manager needs time, but in the modern world you don't get a lot of that," Ferguson said, pointing to Andre Villas-Boas and his short reign at Chelsea as a prime example.
"We're in an age where patience is not a realistic thing. It's just not there."
The veteran gaffer added: "It's a results industry, so winning matches is important.
"It's a different game from when I started. There was less pressure. The world has changed. The press has changed. That's what you're in it for."
But Ferguson will be hoping Rodgers side don't continue to change their fortunes with a home win over his team this weekend.