Adelaide is on the verge of one of its biggest event coups since the F1 Grand Prix roared to life in 1985.
As Adelaide Oval prepares to host The Rolling Stones Saturday night, it has been revealed that English Premier League superpower Liverpool FC is in discussions with Events SA to play an exhibition match at the Oval in July.
Sources involved in the bid say Adelaide’s prospects improved after Sydney’s bid for the soccer blockbuster hit a snag.
The NSW Government had been negotiating with Football Federation Australia to showcase The Reds’ $840 million player roster in a July match agaisnt either an A-League All Stars line-up, Western Sydney Wanderers or Sydney FC.
Fairfax media today reported that one of Liverpool’s prospective opponents, Western Sydney Wanderers, baulked at a nominal fee of $200,000 if they were to be the Reds’ opponents.
Enter Queensland Premier Campbell Newman. He’s reported to have thrown the bank at Liverpool to ensure they play Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
Part of that deal, InDaily understands, is a second match at Adelaide Oval involving an A League All stars line-up, which would be a national TV drawcard.
The FFA is the key player in all this and last weekend’s record crowd at Adelaide Oval for the Melbourne Victory-Adelaide United match would not have gone unnoticed.
After successful tours of Australia by Manchester United and Juventus in the last two years, the FFA has been reportedly spent the last six months looking to lure another big overseas club.
“FFA is in discussions with several big European clubs to find the right opponent to play the Foxtel A-League All Stars next July,” an FFA spokesperson told media.
“Nothing is finalised at this stage, but there’s certainly an appetite among state government agencies, stadiums and broadcasters to be part of the show.
“The great thing for Australian football is that we have huge credibility after the success of the All Stars matches against Manchester United and Juventus.”
Liverpool’s star players include footballing superstars Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli, Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge.
The amazing spectacle of Port Adelaide AFL fans waving their scarves and singing Never Tear Us Apart is based on the classic Liverpool fans’ rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
The inspiration may well become the reality in July 2015.
State Government officials remained tight-lipped when contacted by InDaily today.
One of the many parties involved in the discussions, however, is “very confident” that Adelaide is well placed to showcase the global sporting super club.
NSW State Government officials had estimated the value of a Liverpool visit to be $25 million.
