Mourinho, whose Chelsea side face Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, has always enjoyed a strong rivalry with the Merseyside club.
Liverpool manager Rodgers worked under Mourinho during the Portuguese's first stint at Chelsea in 2004-07.
The Northern Irishman believes, despite Mourinho's mind games, he has the utmost respect for Liverpool.
"There is no doubt that there was a period back in the early 2000s, that this club was a possibility for him," Rodgers said.
"Maybe resources were different and he had a better opportunity to go elsewhere but make no mistake, he knows the size and prestige of Liverpool.
"There has been a history there, what with the rivalry and it was a great rivalry between the clubs, but beneath it all he knows the power of Liverpool for sure."
"He told me to take the job and what a great club Liverpool was. I had spoken to him about it, he encouraged me about the sheer scale of the club," Rodgers said.
"I was talking to him about a choice I maybe had, but he knows the size of this club. I understand full well the Liverpool-Chelsea rivalry and in that period maybe it was the managers and that was the rivalry.
"But for me there is no drama, no issue with him. The advantage I have is I know Jose behind the manager, a man who is humble, respectful, has real good values and ethics, but he is a winner and he wants to win.
"And I know even if we are considered a rival that if they didn't win the league he would want Liverpool to win it."
