LIVERPOOL -- Brendan Rodgers has called on Liverpool to finish a disappointing season by securing European qualification.
The Reds visit Stoke on Sunday for their final Premier League match of the season, needing a victory to be certain of a place in next season's Europa League.
Rodgers had a double target of Champions League qualification and a trophy this season, but failed on both counts after a poor two months, and they could yet drop to seventh if Tottenham and Southampton win their games.
His side have taken just eight points from the last 24 available, and went out of the FA Cup to Aston Villa at the semifinal stage in April.
If Villa beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final, that will mean the team finishing in seventh fails to qualify for the Europa League, and Rodgers is determined that does not happen.
Rodgers said: "The target is to finish as high as we can. That is the aim for the game. The season doesn't finish until the whistle blows on Sunday. It will be a tough game for us, away at Stoke, but we want to finish the season strongly.
"I always believe it's a good sign for a team if they can keep going right to the end. That will be our ambition for the game against Stoke."
Captain Steven Gerrard will play his final game for Liverpool, ending a 17-year first-team career before moving to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy.
Gerrard received an emotional reception on Saturday as he played at Anfield for the last time in a 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.
Rodgers said: "I'm sure, for Steven, it's been a huge relief really. Leading into his last game at Anfield, which has been his home for 17 years, there was probably a whole load of emotion in that last week for him.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't get the result. The team's performance level wasn't what we expected, but the crowd recognised the moment as well and gave him a great Anfield send-off.
"So I'm sure for him there will be a huge sigh of relief. He's worked well this week, concentrating on the game for Sunday."
Mario Balotelli may have played his last game for Liverpool as he struggles to recover from injury.
The Italy striker, widely expected to be sold this summer after a disappointing year at the club, has not played since suffering a foot injury during a 1-0 defeat at Hull on April 28.
"Mario will be a doubt, so we'll see how he is over the next couple of days," Rodgers said.