<text>  Maybe it is a formality, after all. Brendan Rodgers said recently no decision had been made on who would be Liverpools next captain but is there really a decision to make? For all that Liverpools manager will not be rushed into anointing Steven Gerrards successor, Jordan Henderson is compiling a case that is becoming impossible to overlook. He did exactly what a Liverpool skipper should do, making the difference in a game of great significance. Fresh from unleashing a thunderbolt that unhinged Manchester City, Henderson delivered once again, with a goal, an assist his 11th of the season for Daniel Sturridge and 90-minutes of relentless running in a 2-0 win that enhanced his sides Champions League ambitions. Liverpool midfielder and vice-captain Jordan Henderson left celebrates scoring the opening goal for his side against Burnley . Emre Can left readies himself for the shot of Burnley striker Danny Ings right during the Premier League game at Anfield on Wednesday . Liverpools attacking midfielder Adam Lallana left Adam Lallana closes down Burnleys Scott Arfield right who has a shot at goal . Reds boss Brendan Rodgers left stands unmoved on the touchline while Burnley counterpart Sean Dyche right shouts at officials . Burnley winger Michael Kightly shields the ball away from the oncoming Emre Can right as his side chase the game at Anfield . Henderson opens the scoring with a long-range effort, netting his second goal in his last two appearances for Liverpool . The midfielder lashes in a right-footed attempt from outside the box as Liverpool continue their charge on a top-four finish . Henderson slides to his knees delighted and is congratulated by team-mates Adam Lallana right and Raheem Sterling left Liverpool 3-4-3: Mignolet 7.5, Can 7.5, Skrtel 7, Lovren 7: Lallana 6.5, Henderson 8.5, Allen 7.5, Moreno 6.5 Toure 73, 6, Sterling 6.5, Sturridge 6.5 Johnson 82, 6, Coutinho 7.5 . Subs not used: Balotelli, Williams, Markovic, Ward . Scorers: Henderson 29, Sturridge 51 . Manager: Brendan Rodgers 7.5 . Burnley 4-4-2: Heaton 7.5: Trippier 7, Shackell 7, Keane 7, Mee 6.5: Arlfield 6, Jones 7, Boyd 6.5, Kightly 6 Wallace 52, 6: Barnes 6 Vokes 66, 6, Ings 6.5 Jutkiewicz 90, 6 Subs not used: Duff, Reid, Gilks, Ward . Booked: Mee . Manager: Sean Dyche 6 . Referee: Lee Mason 6.5 . Attendance: 44,717 . Man of the Match: Jordan Henderson . Daniel Sturridge caps off a well worked Liverpool move to give his side a 2-0 lead on 51 minutes. This may not have been as eye-catching as Sundays tour de force but it was no less impressive. They were ruthless, efficient and energetic with excellent performers all over the pitch and in Henderson, Rodgers had someone to set the necessary example. We were talking before the game about how well he Henderson is doing, noted Sturridge. He is improving in every game and he has taken the responsibility with the armband. He has taken it to the next level. These are the types of games that Gerrard, watching in the Directors Box, has grabbed by the scruff of the neck and he would have nodded approvingly at the way Henderson led Liverpool in his absence. So, too, would Rodgers. Games that come so soon after significant victories can often become tests of endurance rather than opportunities to make statements and there was a reason to believe, having expended so much energy against City, that Burnley could make things difficult. Liverpool started, however, with intent. Quick, aggressive, energetic, they burst out of the blocks and could have had the lead within 24 seconds when move full of deft flicks and subtle touches, that brought Anfield to its feet, ended with Tom Heaton flinging himself to thwart Sturridge. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge right competes for the ball with Burnleys Michael Keane left during the Premier League clash . Sturridge right uses his pace to lose his marker, Burnley defender Ben Mee left and advance forward on the opposition goal . Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren left climbs highest to head the ball away from Burnley striker Ashley Barnes right Yet Burnley were not daunted. Gerrard noted in his programme notes that nobody has it easy against Sean Dyches side and they were intent of making this a contest, just as they had done at the Etihad Stadium and Stamford Bridge. At one point, when Martin Skrtel scuffed a clearance that nearly allowed Burnley to profit, Rodgers span on his heels and shook his head, anxious Liverpool might not capitalise on that big effort three days prior to topple the champions. His anxieties, though, were soon quelled. Henderson had served notice of his intent in the 24th minute, when forcing a plunging save from Heaton, but there was nothing Burnleys keeper could do when the ball fell to him on the half-hour and he rifled in a swerving half-volley into the Kop net. Henderson might not commands big headlines but his importance to this Liverpool team should not be taken for granted and this was a vital contribution, his goal releasing the tension. With 16 months left on his current deal, Liverpool must surely endeavour to finalise a new contract for him. His strike was terrific and so was the ball for the second goal, said Liverpools manager. He has wonderful athleticism and is improving all the time. With him learning tactically he will become even better. It was a wonderful performance by him. Had Sturridge taken a glorious chance in the 42nd minute, when Coutinho ushered him through, the game would have been wrapped up but, as it was, Liverpool were given a reminder in injury time that they still had work to do when Ashley Barnes tested Simon Mignolet with a header. Burnley came out fighting at the re-start and Mignolet needed to take dramatic action in the 48th minute when he surged out of his goal to head away a ball that was Barnes was chasing, clattering into the forward in the process. Danny Ings centre presses forward for Burnley but is challenged by Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling right Reds striker Sturridge right again battles Burnleys Michael Keane left with Liverpool firmly in control of the game . Jordan Henderson rises highest send a headed effort towards Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal at Anfield on Wednesday night . Hendersons strike meant Liverpool scored three Premier League goals in a row from outside the penalty area for the first time since 2007. Yet any hope they had of a comeback was soon extinguished. Liverpool pushed forward, with Lallana bobbing and weaving on the edge of the area, trying to find a way through; Henderson arrived to provide support and his precise cross demanded Sturridge apply the finish touch. Job done. From that point on, there was never any suggestion Liverpool, who have collected 30 point from the last 36 available, would falter, particularly with Emre Can the hugely impressive German whom Rodgers labelled as being on the verge of world-class helping Henderson set the tone. With good reason, Liverpool will be looking at their fixtures in the spring and sensing an opportunity to attack but so, too, do Burnley. This might have been an eighth game without winning but he is not in the mood to thrown in the towel. Liverpool were a different side to the one we lost to on Boxing Day, said Dyche. I would have taken being in this position with 10 games to go. There are teams under more pressure than we are. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers beams as he watches a dominant display from his side against relegation battlers Burnley . Daniel Sturridge loses his man and leaps to score a headed goal and give Liverpool a 2-0 lead over Sean Dyches men at Anfield . Sturridges goal sealed three points for Liverpool, a result that sees them move to fifth in the Premier League table . 