Jonjo inspired by families
Jonjo Shelvey admitted the Liverpool players were inspired by the memory of the 96 when they played out a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Saturday.
The Reds went into the game on the back of an emotional week on Merseyside following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report on Wednesday.
Shelvey and co took to the field wearing jackets with the number 96 printed on the back of them.
"What happened last week was inspiring," said Shelvey.
"They fought for so many years to get that verdict.
"The boss' team talk and his message to us before the game was about doing it for the 96.
"We wanted to come to a stadium like this in our first match since and do it for them. There was no way we could allow ourselves to lose on a day like this.
"We didn't get the win but we played for them. We dominated the game from start to finish and should have got the three points."
The England U21 international got the nod over Nuri Sahin at the Stadium of Light and gave an impressive display alongside Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen in midfield.
He is determined to make the most of the chance Rodgers has given him.
He added: "The way Brendan Rodgers plays his football suits me and I hope the fans can see that.
"I did not get the chances I would have liked last season but they are coming this season and hopefully they will keep on coming.
"I have played in a few roles so far, both deep and attacking, but every time I pull a shirt on for Liverpool it is an honour and a massive confidence boost.
"I got the nod today and hopefully I can keep repaying the faith the gaffer has shown in me.
"Obviously right now we are not blessed with strikers or at least the amount we hoped," he said.
"We were disappointed when we did not bring anyone in at the end of the transfer window but that's the way it worked out.
"It's down to the midfielders to start racking up a few goals. Playing behind the striker like that I need to get into the box and create things.
"The manager sees me as a goal threat.
"We need to keep being patient and keep working on openings. We have to start taking our chances and when we do that we will rise up the table."
Shelvey also praised the display of Raheem Sterling who again was a constant threat and created the equaliser for Luis Suarez.
He said: "There was a lot of media attention around him after being called into the England squad.
"I know people are saying that he needs to keep his feet on the ground but he is a nice lad. He isn't one of those who will start listening to the media.
"He lives with his mum and has got a great family behind him. If he keeps listening to people at the club and the experienced players in the team and he keeps doing what he's doing then he's going to be a big player for this club."