Watch Liverpool

The relegation which has been Burnley’s destiny since Owen Coyle left in January was finally confirmed today when Steven Gerrard scored twice in the space of seven second-half minutes to keep alive Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League qualification.

If Gerrard’s first was something of a fluke (the shot took a big deflection), the second was more typical, thrashed past Brian Jensen’s left hand from 25 yards. Liverpool’s third took the form of a smart finish by Maxi Rodriguez and the fourth came in added time, from Ryan Babel.

The rain pelted down shortly before kick-off – the sky crying in sympathy with Burnley’s plight and driving off the cricketers on the pitch next door, where England’s Jimmy Anderson learned his trade. These things are relative, and it has been a poor season for Liverpool, too, but still the scouse loyalists pledge vocal loyalty to the manager, Rafael Benítez, who continues to be linked with Juventus.

With Fernando Torres and David Ngog both injured, Dirk Kuyt reverted to the role in which he was originally signed, as principal striker. He was found wanting there a long time ago, and was once again here.

The standard of play rarely rose above the prosaic, and the first goal attempt of any consequence was delayed until the 27th minute, when an inviting right wing cross from Martin Paterson was wasted by Steven Fletcher heading over from a central position, seven yards out. Jack Cork at least demanded a save with another header from similar distance.

The worst miss of all saw Fletcher, on the edge of the six-yard box, horribly culpable again when he failed to make contact with Cork’s cross from the left. Profligacy with such chances has been the story of Burnley’s season.

Gerrard responded with a shot from near the penalty spot which lacked the accuracy to inconvenience “The Beast” Jensen, the goalkeeper who has made more saves than any other in the Premier League. But when the same protagonists were in action again, seven minutes into the second half, poor Jensen had no chance with a shot from the 18-yards line which took a cruel deflection off Leon Cort.

He had no chance again after 52 minutes, but this time due to Gerrard’s scorching accuracy. Fletcher shot against Pepe Reina’s left-hand upright after 72 minutes, but Liverpool had the last word, through Rodriguez and Babel. Burnley return whence they came last summer, Liverpool play Chelsea next Sunday and need to raise their game if they are to finish fourth.

Premier LeagueBurnleyLiverpoolJoe Lovejoyguardian.co.uk