What was he thinking? Besart Berisha's bizarre red card

Berisha is shown a red card while receiving treatment. Photo / Twitter.

Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha received one of the most bizarre ever red cards on Saturday night - as he was sent off while lying on the ground getting treatment.

The tempestuous 30-year-old Albanian kicked out at Wellington Phoenix defender Andrew Durante after being injured by Ben Sigmund's elbow while challenging for a 35th minute header.

Durante was unhappy at Berisha's histrionics as he writhed in apparent agony on the pitch and went to give the Victory star a piece of his mind.

But even as the Melbourne doctors were treating Berisha - he lashed out at Durante with his studs.

Referee Ben Williams saw the kick and deemed it to be violent conduct, brandishing the red card with Berisha still flat on the turf.

Amazingly, the striker was also dismissed in eerily similar circumstances back in 2014 when playing for Brisbane Roar.

On that occasion he launched a dangerous lunging tackle on Sydney's Sebastian Ryall, but managed to get a head injury in the process.

Berisha would have been sent off while being treated by the medics, except referee Peter O'Leary waited until he was up on his feet before showing the red card.

The Melbourne striker's night against Wellington had actually started brilliantly as he spectacularly back-heeled the opening goal after just eight minutes.

Victory eventually booked their place in the A-League finals with a 4-1 win over Phoenix, but will likely be without Berisha as he now faces a suspension for the start of the play-offs.

Your the muppet mate...I asked him if he needed help to the side line..i was actually being nice u knob. https://t.co/YSodGy62vc

— Andrew Durante (@A_Dura22) April 2, 2016