One up: Gerrard celebrates his opener at Turf MoorTwo goals in seven second-half minutes from Steven Gerrard extinguished any remaining hope and kept alive Liverpool's bid for fourth place, before Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel administered the last rites.
They were applauded off the pitch on Sunday almost as enthusiastically as they were greeted on to it when Manchester United came to Turf Moor on that memorable summer night back in August, but the dream is over for Burnley.
The euphoria of their first Barclays Premier League home game and a stunning victory over the champions seemed such a very long time ago as, under leaden skies in Lancashire, relegation after one season in the top flight was confirmed.
Gerrard's second goal in particular, a trademark effort swept beyond Brian Jensen from 25 yards, emphasised the gulf in class. It is a divide Burnley have failed to bridge on too many occasions this season, having left their wallet in their pocket and kept faith with much of the squad that brought them up almost a year ago.
That this defeat also made Bolton safe will stick in their throats. It was the departure of manager Owen Coyle for Wanderers in January, perhaps more than anything else, that pointed Burnley back towards the Championship.
To the Maxi: Rodriguez scores Liverpool's thirdCoyle's replacement, Brian Laws, has lost 13 of his 17 games. The Burnley fans did not give him the same generous applause as the players yesterday, booing him down the tunnel, but Laws insists he will remain in charge.
'Nobody can explain how you feel,' he said afterwards. 'It's one of those feelings you get in the pit of your stomach. The fans will be feeling it because it's come to an end, all the hard work. It's been a magnificent journey and a great dream. Little old Burnley in the Premier League. It's been awesome.
'Everyone thought it was impossible to stay there but we were close to doing it.
We'll bounce back. Going back to the Championship will hurt but we'll be one of the stronger sides next season and we want to taste what it's like in the Premier League again.
'The players are as hurt as anyone else. It's the final nail in the coffin and it's horrible. But beneath that horrible feeling they should be very proud.'
Feeling flat: Burnley striker Fletcher on the deckAlthough a Burnley side needing to win their last three games matched a below-par Liverpool in the first half, it began to go wrong from the moment Gerrard played a one-two with Yossi Benayoun and saw his 20-yard effort deflected in off Leon Cort.
Benayoun had come on as a replacement four minutes earlier for Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool's last fit senior striker, who suffered a calf strain which makes him a doubt for Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
At least manager Rafa Benitez can still count on his captain in times of need. If Gerrard's first goal was somewhat fortuitous, the second was pure class.
He barely broke stride when the ball ran invitingly into his path after Alberto Aquilani had controlled Maxi's pass and then slipped. 'That's the sort of goal Stevie can score,' said Benitez. 'When you don't have players like Torres, you need a player like Stevie to score goals.'
Burnley did not go down without a fight. Steven Fletcher and Jack Cork both went close with headers in the first half, there was a penalty appeal for handball against Glen Johnson, and Fletcher also hit the post towards the end.
But then Aquilani's pass picked out Maxi to score his first goal in English football and Lucas sent Babel clear in added time to make it four. 'Going down,' sang the Liverpool fans. 'Going bust,' came the reply from the home supporters.
Champions League football will certainly make Liverpool a more attractive proposition for potential buyers, and Benitez still believes his team can snatch fourth.
'The others have to play each other, so if that's a draw then maybe we have a chance,' said the Liverpool boss.
source: dailymail
