Premier League review:Two goals from captain Steven Gerrard, a first Liverpool strike for Maxi Rodriguez and a late strike from Ryan Babel relegated Burnley from the Premier League and kept alive the Merseysiders' distant hopes of finishing fourth.
With two matches to play the Clarets cannot now catch 17th-placed West Ham and return to the Coca-Cola Championship after just one season in the top flight.
Gerrard’s first goal in the 51st minute was deflected off Burnley centre back Leon Cort but his 25-yard strike seven minutes later was inch-perfect and Rodriguez and Babel wrapped things up.
James Milner scored a late penalty to keep Aston Villain the hunt for the final Champions League spot with a narrow derby 1-0 win over Birminghamat Villa Park.
The England midfielder converted from the spot in the 83rd minute after Blues defender Roger Johnson had been adjudged to have brought down Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Villa are now level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham although they have played a game more and have an inferior goal difference.
A last-gasp penalty from Mikel Arteta kept Everton'sslim hopes of Europa League football on the boil in a 2-1 victory against a second-string Fulhamside.
With Thursday’s second leg of Fulham’s semi-final against Hamburg in mind, boss Roy Hodgson made nine changes for this game, coming within seconds of ending a run of 16 successive defeats at Goodison Park.
Although Erik Nevland gave Fulham a 36th-minute lead against the run of play, Victor Anichebe hauled Everton level five minutes after his arrival as a half-time sub before Arteta stroked home a face-saving winner deep into injury time.