Bayo Akinfenwa is praying departing Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard gets a run out at Kingsmeadow in Monday night’s FA Cup third round tie.

The AFC Wimbledon striker is a boyhood Reds fan and Gerrard is the pick of the bunch for the Beast at Anfield these days.

Gerrard’s days on Merseyside are numbered though after the Kop legend announced this morning that he will be seeking pastures new in the summer.

Beast Mode On! Steven Gerrard training today

It was devastating news for Akinfenwa who thinks the former England captain epitomises everything his ‘Beast Mode On’ brand stands for.

“For me it’s devastating hearing that he’s leaving but I don’t think there’s any Liverpool fans out there who would begrudge him a move to wherever he goes.

“I think the word legend is bandied around too much these days but Gerrard really is a legend.

Liverpool fan: AFC Wimbledon's Adebayo Akinfenwa

“Everyone know my BMO outlook and he’s BMO through and through. He defies limitations. He keeps coming back and aspires to be the best that he can be and that’s what he’s done.

“I truly hope that he’s at the game on Monday, just so I can shake his hand and thank him. We want to pit ourselves against the best.

“I bet he’ll be telling Brendan Rodgers he wants to play because if it goes the way we want it to go then it will be his last FA Cup.

Memories: Steven Gerrard celebrates with team mates after the penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea

“I don’t think he needs any added incentive but knowing it could be his last FA Cup could give him that. If somebody else tries to get his shirt I’ll hit them. He’s my number one.”

The big striker did a dance around his living room as soon as Liverpool’s name came out of the hat in the FA Cup third round draw.

Akinfenwa would have loved the game to have been played on Merseyside but believes it suits Wimbledon better to be hosting the Premier League giants in Kingston.

Celebrate: Gerrard after scoring at Old Trafford

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this. To play against my boyhood team will be the highlight of my career.

“John Barnes was my idol growing up and he’s the reason I’ve supported Liverpool. I play nothing like him though!

“I’ve only been to Anfield once, I couldn’t really afford to get up there when I was younger, so on a personal level it would have been nice to have the tie played there. Our best chance to win is to have the game here. We prefer to have it here as a team.”