Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's decision to freeze out Jermaine Pennant could see the midfielder walk away on a free transfer.
Pennant will become a free agent in the summer unless he makes an estimated 15 first-team appearances this season.
Benitez signalled his intent to offload the midfielder in January by dropping him from the 18-man squad for their Carling Cup tie against Spurs in midweek.
But his decision to overlook the 25-year-old for the trip to White Hart Lane, when he opted to field many fringe players, could see the club lose out on the chance to recoup even a slice of the £6.7 million fee Liverpool paid Birmingham to sign the former England Under-21 international two years ago.
Pennant signed a three-year contract on his arrival with a one-year option but it appears that he may have played his last game for the club.
The 25-year-old has only made four appearances this season but the Carling Cup allowed Benitez the chance to increase that tally, a decision Benitez opted against.
Even if rival Premier League clubs came in for him during the transfer window, Pennant could decide to bide his time on the sidelines and leave Anfield for nothing next summer.
Pennant has failed to hold down a regular starting berth since arriving on Merseyside and came close to leaving for Stoke before the new season.
Stoke met Liverpool's £5m asking price but were unable to agree personal terms with the former Arsenal midfielder.
Blackburn have also been keeping a close eye on Pennant's availability but may hold off launching a bid in January with the possibility of signing him on a free four months later.
Pennant will become a free agent in the summer unless he makes an estimated 15 first-team appearances this season.
Benitez signalled his intent to offload the midfielder in January by dropping him from the 18-man squad for their Carling Cup tie against Spurs in midweek.
But his decision to overlook the 25-year-old for the trip to White Hart Lane, when he opted to field many fringe players, could see the club lose out on the chance to recoup even a slice of the £6.7 million fee Liverpool paid Birmingham to sign the former England Under-21 international two years ago.
Pennant signed a three-year contract on his arrival with a one-year option but it appears that he may have played his last game for the club.
The 25-year-old has only made four appearances this season but the Carling Cup allowed Benitez the chance to increase that tally, a decision Benitez opted against.
Even if rival Premier League clubs came in for him during the transfer window, Pennant could decide to bide his time on the sidelines and leave Anfield for nothing next summer.
Pennant has failed to hold down a regular starting berth since arriving on Merseyside and came close to leaving for Stoke before the new season.
Stoke met Liverpool's £5m asking price but were unable to agree personal terms with the former Arsenal midfielder.
Blackburn have also been keeping a close eye on Pennant's availability but may hold off launching a bid in January with the possibility of signing him on a free four months later.
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