Gerrard sends Burnley down

Reds still have hope of top-four finish after emphatic win

By James Riach   Last updated: 25th April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Jensen versus Liverpool

Jensen is dejected after Babel's late goal

Maxi Rodriguez scores again

Jensen is beaten by Maxi Rodriguez

Michael Duff and Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt tussles with Michael Duff

Steven Gerrard v Burnley

Gerrard: Bagged a brace
Man of the match: Steven Gerrard grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and bagged a brace.

Goal of the match: Gerrard's second was an absolute screamer from long range, leaving Brian Jensen with no chance.

Miss of the match: Jack Cork could have given the Clarets the lead in the opening period but he headed straight at Jose Reina.

Moment of the match: Cork's miss could have changed the game and he will be ruing not placing his header either side of the goalkeeper.

Talking point: Will Burnley be able to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, or has it just been a year to savour in the top flight?

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Two goals from Steven Gerrard helped Liverpool to a 4-0 win over Burnley to condemn the Clarets to relegation from the Premier League.

Brian Laws' men needed a victory to give them any hope of survival, and they were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half when Jack Cork headed straight at Jose Reina.

After the break Liverpool turned the screw though, and went ahead when Gerrard's shot was deflected in off Leon Cort - the Reds captain doubled the lead soon after when he netted a thunderbolt of a long-ranger into the corner.

The points were secured when Maxi Rodriguez slotted home with just over a quarter-of-an-hour left to play and Ryan Babel put the icing on the cake for the away side when running through to score the fourth in injury-time.

Burnley go back to the Championship after just one year in the top-flight, while Liverpool still have hope of a top-four finish.

Tottenham are two points ahead on 64, with a match in hand, and Liverpool must win their remaining two games and hope neither Spurs, Manchester City nor Aston Villa amass more than 68 points - and even then it could come down to goal difference.

Reality

Burnley, however, must now face up to a return to the second tier of English football, which has been on the cards ever since the departure of former manager Owen Coyle to Bolton in January.

By that time they were already on the slide but the loss of the inspirational Scot was a major blow and the decision to bring in Brian Laws failed to turn things around.

Whether anyone would have been able to save the Clarets on the shoestring budget and limited squad available is questionable.

But opting to employ Laws just a month after he had left Sheffield Wednesday having taken them to the brink of relegation from the Championship now seems, at best, a mis-judgment.

Laws has lost 14 of his 17 games in charge and the Clarets have won just seven games all season and not kept a clean sheet since Halloween.

At least the frugal nature of the sensible financial planning at Turf Moor means Burnley do not have the money worries of Hull, who are also doomed to relegation because of their dreadful goal difference.

The first half summed up exactly why they were heading back to the Championship as, having weathered the early pressure, they missed two gilt-edged headers which should have put them 2-0 up at the break.

Steven Fletcher out-jumped Jamie Carragher in the 27th minute but planted Martin Paterson's right-wing cross over while on-loan Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork's seven-yard effort from Tyrone Mears' centre was straight at goalkeeper Reina.

Prior to that the closest Liverpool had come to scoring was when Gerrard's deflected volley hit referee Phil Dowd before the Liverpool captain's shot on the turn from 12 yards was easily saved by goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Spirit

The break appeared not to have dampened Burnley's enthusiasm and Fletcher almost capitalised on confusion between Reina, Daniel Ayala - the teenaged centre-back a surprise inclusion - and Daniel Agger when Cork swung in a left-wing cross seconds after the restart.

Liverpool's problems up front worsened when Dirk Kuyt was forced off with a calf injury, meaning Babel was pushed into the lone striker role to allow Yossi Benayoun to come on and play on the left.

The Israeli had a hand in the opening goal but luck played a greater part in the 51st minute.

Benayoun and Alberto Aquilani combined in the centre of the pitch to give Gerrard the ball in the inside-left position.

With Graham Alexander backing away he switched the ball on to his right foot before unleashing a 20-yard shot which deflected off Cort and inside Jensen's right post.

Fortune also contributed to Gerrard's second seven minutes later when Glen Johnson and Rodriguez progressed a move down the right to Aquilani who slipped as he tried to turn inside.

However, the ball ran to Gerrard, whose 25-yard strike owed nothing to luck and everything to talent as he curled a shot perfectly through the gap between Jensen's outstretched fingers and the left post.

Fletcher almost pulled one back in the 72nd minute when his left-footed shot cannoned back off the post, although justice was probably done as the striker appeared to control the ball with his hand.

Two minutes later Burnley's fate was sealed as Aquilani played in Rodriguez on the right of the penalty area and he clipped home his long-awaited first goal since signing from Atletico Madrid in January.

In the third minute of added time Babel sprang the offside trap to race clear and fire in a fourth before Turf Moor rose to acclaim their departing heroes.

BurnleyTeam StatisticsLiverpool
0Goals4
01st Half Goals0
4Shots on Target7
7Shots off Target5
3Blocked Shots3
4Corners5
14Fouls12
1Offsides1
2Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
70.3Passing Success74.8
24Tackles33
75Tackles Success78.8
45.4Possession54.6
58.3Territorial Advantage41.7

Comments (11)

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Michael Bailey (Burnley fan) says...

Being the bookies favourites since day one meant even the most optomistic of Burnley fans must of known this was extremely likely. I know I've enjoyed the ride despite some very dark days like the lifeless display against our biggest rivals and now I think with next season in mind Laws must step up and be the big man and walk away for the benefit of the club. This would pave the way for a new man to come in, get to grips with the squad (or what will be left of it after the contracts run out in June) and plan for next seasons assault on the championship. People are saying that we won't be challenging for promotion next season but I think it has to be the only policy and for the club to think of anything other than this could be disastrous to say the least.

Posted 19:31 25th April 2010

D Pearce (Sheffield Wednesday fan) says...

Brian Laws must get full credit for effectively relegating two teams in the same season. Now that's class

Posted 19:16 25th April 2010

Gavin Meek (Burnley fan) says...

Thank you Barry Kilby for one of the worst seasons we have ever had. All this what what we all think is down to you for not putting enough effort and money into the club. We needed a manager and you gave us Brian Laws. A manager who couldn't get any results in the championship. What a waste of time! We had a good start in the season but threw it all away with a horrible decision which could of been easily changed. Will I be going to watch Burnley next season? I don't know. Roughly £3.5m compensation for Owen Colye and didn't want to spend any of this! Why? This is what all the Burnley fans and even the other club fans would like to know! Good luck for next season, you will need it!

Posted 19:04 25th April 2010

Peter West yorks rover (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

"Dare to dream," & how reality bites back! The jokers who appointed Brian Laws a failed man at Sheff Wednesday, are fully responsible for their intended downfall, of your club this season. Whilst Mr laws picks up his fat pay cheque, for being the intended escape goat, & the club owners load their swag bags, the loyal supporters of Burnley F.C. are left cheated. Start praying your Organ grinder & his pet monkey (Barry) don't find an excuse to squander the clubs balloon payment. Keep dreaming, Luv Rovers.

Posted 19:04 25th April 2010

Tim Waine (Aston Villa fan) says...

Bye bye Burnley. I would like to say you'll be missed... but you wont.

Posted 18:33 25th April 2010

Marc Gerolimatos (Liverpool fan) says...

Is it just me guessing or do Liverpool tend to score more goals when Aquilani plays? So why not play him more often instead of "dull as dish water" Lucas? We really need to just attack in these remaining games, we have nothing to lose.

Posted 18:11 25th April 2010

Wayne . (Manchester United fan) says...

Whats more important to Liverpool now,a win against chelsea to help qualify for the champions league or would they rather lose and see united not overtake there 18 titles.it will be interesting.

Posted 17:49 25th April 2010

Peter N (Burnley fan) says...

I think that we need to look back and on the whole we deserve to go down. We were only 6th best in the 1st Division and didn't bring in any players untill it was to late. The appointment of Laws was just confirmation of our lack of ambition/commitment. I hope that we can have a new start next season, however what an adventure. Many thanks to all the teams who have visited our Great Club this season.

Posted 17:48 25th April 2010

Michael Maclean (Burnley fan) says...

I am absolutely gutted that we have gone down and I personally felt we would go down once Owen Coyle left and was amazed that Barry Kilby appointed Brian Laws as manager, he is a man with no premier league experience and not a great record. I felt a manger with experience in the premier league would have given us a far better chance. I feel that the fans will give him possibly a max of 5-10 games next year before they turn on him, depending on results. Also I am not saying that Burnley should have thrown loads of money at it but I would have expected a little more activity in the transfer market because there is a lot of players out there more than capable of keeping a team in the prem league for between 2.5 - 4 million pound each! We definately need to strengthen/renew the defence because 74 goals conceded is unacceptable!! I will still be attending games next year because I am true to the club and wish them all the best and hope we can bounce back!

Posted 17:41 25th April 2010

Paul Argyle (Liverpool fan) says...

Its about time Aquilani was given the chance to show us what he is made of. Hopefully more of the same for the rest of the season so we can finish off well and win The Europa League and fingers crossed finish 4th. Stevie will hopefully drive us on and save what is available of the season. COME ON YOU REDS! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Posted 17:27 25th April 2010

Matt Corrigan (Liverpool fan) says...

i'm sorry but it is burnley....so not too excited after a very poor season for liverpool.

Posted 17:26 25th April 2010
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