Pennant : Rafa forced me to leave because I'm English
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Pennant blasts Benitez: Rafa forced me to leave Liverpool because I'm English
Reunited: Jermaine Pennant with former Liverpool team-mate Peter Crouch
Jermaine Pennant claims Rafael Benitez bombed him out of Liverpool because he is English.
Pennant launched an astonishing blast at Benitez as he prepared to make his debut for new club Portsmouth in the FA Cup clash with Championship Swansea.
The former England under 21 international believes Liverpool's Spanish boss will risk the Merseysiders' title hopes on dodgy foreigners rather than trust home grown talent.
Winger Pennant has joined Pompey on loan until the end of the season after being told by Benitez that his Anfield career was over.
Pennant started only two matches for Liverpool this season before being frozen out of Benitez's plans. Pennant said: 'I am looking forward to Tony Adams speaking English. I don't know if it is the English mentality he dislikes but there are not a lot of English players at Liverpool.
"I have mentioned that before when I was at Arsenal so I guess I have not had much luck with foreign managers.
'Last season I played 34 games and in a Champions' League final the previous year for Rafa but now he has had a change of plans.
'It is not for me to question the manager because he has done so well for Liverpool but it seems very strange to go from playing every week to training on my own on Saturday afternoons. 'But that is Rafa for you and I don't think half the players at Liverpool can work him out.
'I have been speaking to a lot of the other Liverpool players and they could not understand why I was not being selected, especially in the games at home where they have struggled to win. 'It was the same with Peter Crouch and he had to get away too.
'I spoke to Crouchy a lot before I came here and he told me to join Portsmouth. He said it was a good club and that Tony would give me more chances to play.'
Pennant has the option of a permanent move to Fratton Park at the end of his loan but admitted he could yet join AC Milan or Real Madrid.
He added: 'It is weird that I cannot get into Liverpool's team but Real Madrid want me. 'It is very flattering to be linked with a club of their size because they are one of the best teams in the world.
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Relies on dodgy foreigners? Gerrad??
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Originally posted by Chris88110:
Relies on dodgy foreigners? Gerrad??
Gerrad know how to speak spanish. LOL!!! -
lolx Rafa Racist?
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what a joke...
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its true
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Home grown talent?
Hahahaha
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he's the bosss, so he make the decision
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Wise words from the great Ackmed: "You racist bastard"
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While I don't think Pennant is much of a player, I feel that there is some truth in this claim of his. I mean like in the past, how come lousy players like Voronin can start ahead of Crouch? Not saying Crouch is damn good but Voronin is shit...
Yea and I think once Greead and Carragher are gone, there would be no more English players in the club if Rafa is still in charge. A club which once boasted the best of British talent like Dalglish, Toshack, Rush etc has sold its soul to a balding spaniard with a ridiculous moustache and beard.