LONDON - LIVERPOOL have accepted an undisclosed bid for out-of-favour Jermaine Pennant from Portsmouth but the former Arsenal and Birmingham winger is reluctant to move to the south coast.

Pennant, who cost Liverpool 6.7 million pounds (S$14.74 million) when he joined them from Birmingham in 2006, has also attracted interest from Real Madrid and AC Milan.

But he insists that he wants to stay at Liverpool.

'My preference is to stay at Liverpool and I am still hoping to do so,' he said.

'There has been a lot of speculation about my future but I have always maintained my position of wanting to stay at the club.

'I am happy to compete for my place and hope I am given the chance to do so.'

Pennant played in the 2007 Champions League final defeat by AC Milan in Athens but has been sidelined by manager Rafael Benitez this season.

His last appearance for the first team was at the end of October. -- AFP