The former Liverpool winger ignored his own agent until he got his dream transfer to Anfield
Jermaine Pennant refused to speak to his agent until his dream move to Liverpool was confirmed. The former winger, who also played for Arsenal and Stoke City, admitted he acted “like a big baby” until he was able to secure the transfer to Merseyside.
Pennant appeared on That Peter Crouch Podcast to discuss his career in the Premier League and beyond. Following Birmingham City’s relegation in 2006, the ex-footballer was clear about his plans for the future.
He said: “The dream was always one day to play for Liverpool.”
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When asked how it felt when Rafa Benitez came in for him, Pennant said: “Oh, it was it was unreal because Birmingham we got relegated that season and we were in training, all the boys were there and the coach came out and said ‘You’ve got a phone call,’ it’s your agent.
“Automatically I’ve thought ‘Ah, what have I done wrong? What’s coming out now? What the hell am I going to put myself in now?’
“So I was like okay okay, very timid, ran over and got the phone call, came straight back out. I was like ‘See you later boys, I’m off.’
“These guys are praying for Championship and I’m like ‘Yeah good, I’m going to Liverpool,’ they were all fuming!”
One teammate wasn’t bitter about Pennant’s golden opportunity. He added: “Apart from Emile (Heskey), he said ‘Good club, you’re going to enjoy it, you’ll love it there.'”
When questioned whether Birmingham’s relegation affected his chance of playing for Liverpool, Pennant admitted the worry is always there – but he was already aware of the Reds’ interest.
The 42-year-old said: “No, you always, when you’re with a team and you get relegated you’re always worried about, ‘Are you going to get back into the Premier League? Is someone going to come in for you or is what’s going to be your situation?’
“But I always I got told a lot that Liverpool were watching me through the game, sending scouts. Back in the day, it wasn’t social media, it was like the back of the paper. You read the transfer news and I was in there a few times.
“So I was just like to my agent, ‘You got to make it happen.’ You know, I threw my toys out the pram and said ‘I’m not speaking to you if you don’t (sort the move).’ I was a big baby. And a month later, he came back said, ‘Oh, look, you can speak to me now.’
“I didn’t speak to him for about two months. I know I was an idiot. I said ‘What’s happening?’ He said ‘Look, it’s up to the club, I’m asking the questions.’ We’re still friends though.”
Pennant’s did not quite hit it off at Anfield. In 81 appearances, the winger netted three goals and assisted 18 times.
One Community Shield was secured during his time on Merseyside but it could be argued that Pennant’s dream was fulfilled – he signed for the club he wanted most and played in one of the most iconic stadiums in the Premier League.
