Melbourne Victory should target Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard for its soon-to-be open marquee spot

WITH Besart Berisha to become an Australian citizen, Melbourne Victory will soon have an open marquee spot. There’s a certain Liverpool legend ripe for the picking, Matt Windley writes.

GET Steven Gerrard.

Don’t think he’ll come? Then at least ask the question.

It’s a blanket call out to all A-League clubs bar Melbourne City, which has its full quota of marquees.

But more specifically there is one club ideally placed to have a crack at the Liverpool legend.

Melbourne Victory should make a play for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Picture: Getty Images

And, after the Herald Sun revealed on Tuesday that Besart Berisha is set to become an Australian citizen on Australia Day, that club is Melbourne Victory.

Gerrard is one of the most well known and popular players in the world.

The midfielder played 504 games for Liverpool in a 17-year career, before playing 18 months in the United States with LA Galaxy.

Gerrard’s time there appears over after his side was bundled out of the Major League Soccer playoffs on Monday.

The 36-year-old has all but confirmed he will be leaving Los Angeles, but where to next remains up in the air.

Soon to be a naturalised Australian, Victory’s Besart Berisha will be smiling if his side could somehow pull off a Steven Gerrard coup. Picture: Gregg Porteous

An assistant coaching role at Liverpool has been mooted, but if these recent comments are anything to go by, Gerrard is open to temptation elsewhere.

“I’m wondering whether I should play on for a little bit longer or whether I should call it a day. I haven’t 100 per cent decided,” Gerrard said.

“I still enjoy playing. I still love coming into training, I still love competing, so if I can carry on and there are opportunities to ... go somewhere else for another six months or 12 months, then I’ll consider it.

“I’m going to be a long time retired.”

Steven Gerrard played against Melbourne Victory on the MCG, but could he play for them in the New Year?

Liverpool is huge in Australia and, more specifically, Melbourne, as evidenced by the 95,446 crowd that watched the Reds play Victory at the MCG in 2013.

The love for Gerrard that night was insane.

He’s a name that transcends soccer, a name that would appeal to all Melbourne sports fans.

He’d be worth every cent Victory and Football Federation Australia throw at him — FFA would help fund the move as an approved guest marquee signing.

Victory won’t have a visa spot available until January 26, when Berisha’s citizenship is slated to go through.

That leaves 10 games plus finals, a three-month investment the club and league could surely justify.

The short time frame also makes the move more plausible for the Gerrard family.

Shhh: Gerrard would bring massive star power to the A-League. Picture: Getty Images

Gerrard’s wife and three kids are understood to have remained in England for much of the player’s second US season.

If he is keen for one more contract, a short stint would likely be more palatable.

Tim Cahill has been huge, but more stars need to follow.

It’s understood Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor and Marouane Chamakh were all offered to at least one A-League club each during the off-season, but all were knocked back.

Staggeringly, when Gerrard was here for a legends match in January he revealed not one Australian club had approached him about a possible move after it was announced he was leaving Anfield.

This is an opportunity that cannot be passed on again.

Victory has twice had a crack at signing a guest marquee.

Don’t they say third time’s a charm?

Originally published as Melbourne Victory should target Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard for its soon-to-be open marquee spot