Liverpool 2-0 Burnley

Jordan Henderson fires in a second goal in two games

• Liverpool unbeaten in 12 league games

• Henderson makes seventh assist of season

• Burnley have one win in 12 league games

• Ings quiet in front of potential suitors

Jordan Henderson continued his good form as Liverpool captain as he scored and set up another in a comfortable win over strugglers Burnley at Anfield.

Standing in for injured skipper Steven Gerrard, Henderson smashed in a 20-yard shot to give Liverpool the lead.

The 24-year-old then crossed for Daniel Sturridge to head in on his return to the starting line-up.

Liverpool move back above Southampton into fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

The win was further evidence that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has restored an attacking verve to his team as they pursue a place in next season's Champions League.

And they extended their unbeaten run to 12 games, winning seven out of their last eight in the league.

Burnley struggled to cope with Liverpool's movement throughout the game, with Sturridge making an impression from the start. Only several fine saves from goalkeeper Tom Heaton limited the score to 1-0 at the break.

The defeat means Sean Dyche's side have only won one of their last 12 league games, and although they have earned points at Chelsea and Manchester City this season, they did not come close to upsetting Liverpool's flow.

The Clarets remain three points from safety but can take small consolation from the fact the other sides in the relegation zone also both lost.

Daniel Sturridge was in sharp form from the start, and could have had a hat-trick

After only featuring as a substitute against Manchester City, Sturridge showed he meant business after 30 seconds when he combined cleverly with Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana to draw a decent stop from Heaton.

The Burnley goalkeeper also did well to deny Henderson, but it was merely a portent of what was to come.

After further Liverpool pressure, Philippe Coutinho weaved into the box and when his shot was blocked, Henderson drove in the rebound.

Dyche named an unchanged side for the fourth successive game after declaring his side were one of the fittest in the league.

But they spent large parts of the game defending and only had an easily saved Ashley Barnes header in the first half to show for their efforts.

Danny Ings, reportedly a Liverpool summer target, had a relatively quiet evening, although he did claim he was fouled in the penalty area by Henderson as he shaped to shoot.

With only a goal between the two sides, Dyche's men still had a chance going into the second half but Sturridge's first league goal since the final day of January effectively eliminated that possibility.

Henderson turned provider this time, collecting the ball and delivering a wonderful, floated cross to the back post where Sturridge nodded in.

Liverpool saw out the match in relative comfort while Burnley's imminent challenges do not get much easier - they face Manchester City, Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal in their next four games as they try to lift themselves out of trouble.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers on Jordan Henderson: "It is a great strike for his goal and the feed into Daniel Sturridge for the second is great too. He is up there with the top assist makers in the league, he has very good technique. He is developing well as a player, he still has work to go but he knows that. It's great to see."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche: "First half, I thought Liverpool were excellent, they had a real control of the game and had a some real good chances, and showed why they have been winning plaudits. Second half we levelled it out, we didn't do enough to win it but we had our moments.

"We didn't start as we normally do and they are the form side in the league. They have moved a long way since we played them on Boxing Day and they have found clarity to their performances, that's quite obvious."

Steven Gerrard (centre) celebrates Jordan Henderson's opener

Danny Ings was appearing at Anfield for the first time since being linked with a Liverpool move

Daniel Sturridge scores on his return to the starting line-up, his first league goal since 31 January