Jordan Henderson will be the first to admit he can never replace Steven Gerrard, but for one night only he performed an impressive tribute act to inspire Liverpool to victory over Burnley.
All that was missing was the host of Stars in Their Eyes to introduce the acting captain, explaining how he would be spending the evening impersonating his absent captain.
Henderson's opening goal was of the standard Gerrard has copyrighted during his career, a net bruising drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Just as satisfying was Henderson's assist for the second, a clipped cross rather like the pitching wedge finding the pin, for Daniel Sturridge's header on 51 minutes. Such demonstrations bode well for Liverpool and England.
Liverpool have emerged from their hibernation since Christmas. For the first time in eight months they went into a fixture knowing favourable results could put them back in a Champions League place.
The applause for the revival will swiftly fade if Brendan Rodgers' side do not maintain their momentum, however, and this looked a far trickier fixture than the league table suggested.
In an effort to acquire a seventh win in eight league games, Rodgers overloaded his line-up with attacking intent.
Raheem Sterling was used a right-wing-back, accommodating the return of Sturridge who is still easing his way back to full fitness and adjusting to the fresh formation, That said, the England striker can carry a goal threat even at half pace.
The striker tried to shake off any fear of rustiness within 30 seconds, exchanging one touch passes with Sterling prior to forcing Tom Heaton into the first of a series of key first-half saves.
Sturridge was more culpable when he fluffed a one-on-one just before half-time, Heaton blocking with his legs, but by then Liverpool had the lead via Henderson's Gerrard-esque half-volley on 28 minutes.
Inevitably, Coutinho was the creator, turning away from Scott Arfield in midfield before seeing his blocked shot drop invitingly to his acting captain. Henderson's connection was perfect and his celebration, a leg slide at the Kop corner flag, was also straight from the captain's handbook.
For a side in the bottom three Sean Dyche's side have much to admire, their work-rate and confidence in possession limiting Liverpool's space far more effectively than Manchester City managed last weekend.
Dyche's problem is Liverpool have the capacity to wear teams down, Coutinho and Lallana particularly relishing their emerging partnership. But for their keeper, the visitors would have been four down at half-time despite an encouraging display.
Liverpool extended their lead six minutes into the second half as Sturridge continued his extraordinary strike rate as he tries to become the club's quickest player to 50 goals.
Henderson was the creator, a looping ball over the Burnley centre-half - similar to the move against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup recently - picked out Sturridge at the back post, and his header beat Heaton.
Liverpool's attacking intent wilted after they doubled the lead, Burnley showing plenty of endeavour but struggling to provoke Mignolet into significant action.
The biggest concern for the Belgian was a couple of loose passes in his direction from Dejan Lovren, although in the Croatian's defence, he is also looking far more comfortable than earlier in the season.
Lallana and Coutinho still looked capable of moving into a higher gear as and when required, but it was a sign of how comfortable Rodgers felt when he replaced Sturridge on 83 minutes, no doubt with this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final on his mind.
With such fluent football, a winning run, the captain in top form and a charismatic South American leading the charge, Rodgers truly can say his side is starting to resemble that of last season - with one significant exception. Liverpool are starting to look good in defence, too.
Liverpool (3-4-3) Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Lovren; Sterling, Henderson, Allen, Moreno (K Toure 73); Lallana, Sturridge, Coutinho. Subs Johnson, Lambert, Balotelli, Williams, Markovic
Ward.
Burnley (4-4-2) Heaton; Mee, Keane, Shackell, Trippier; Kightly (Wallace 52), Jones, Arfield, Boyd; Ings, Barnes (Vokes 66).
Subs Duff, Reid, Jutkiewicz, Gilks, Ward.
Referee Lee Mason (Bolton).