Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant claims half his former team-mates at Anfield do not understand manager Rafael Benitez.The 26-year-old has switched to Fratton Park for the rest of the season after being frozen out of the Reds side.
Pennant had been limited to just five games for Liverpool this term, a stark contrast to 25 he notched up last season and the former Arsenal and Birmingham man has even trained alone during matchdays this campaign.
After remaining tight-lipped about his torrid time in Merseyside until now, Pennant has claimed many of the Liverpool players struggle to get to grips with the thinking of tactician Benitez.
Pennant, who is line to make his Pompey debut in front of the home fans in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Swansea, he told the Daily Express: "I felt like my career was rotting away at Liverpool.
"I found it strange that I had been linked with a move to both Real Madrid and AC Milan, but couldn't even get on the Liverpool bench.
"Some people were asking me why I was not getting a sniff, even on the bench. But Rafa was the manager, and had his team, so I suppose I could not have a lot of argument.
"I don't know what it is between him and me really, but I have to say half the players at Liverpool can't seem to work him out."
Pennant, whose Liverpool contract runs out this summer, accepts his Reds career may be finished, but the right-winger is looking forward to being valued at Pompey.
"Rafa didn't speak to me very much. I think the last time was in 2006... only joking," Pennant said.
"Seriously, though, he hardly ever spoke to me apart from saying, 'Good morning, how are you?' and I sensed I might not have a future at the club.
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