Pennant staying put as Liverpool prepare to increase offer

LIVERPOOL target Jermaine Pennant expects to start the season as a Birmingham player despite interest from the Anfield club.

Manager Rafael Benitez has already had a £3.5 million (€5.1m) bid rejected for the former Arsenal trainee earlier this summer but the Reds are reportedly ready to further test Birmingham’s resolve with an improved bid.

Having boosted the coffers by selling Emile Heskey to Wigan for £5.5m, Steve Bruce’s side, relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship last season, are not under pressure to sell.

Pennant has vowed to stay loyal to the club after they stood by him during well-documented off-field problems.

Birmingham have been made favourites to win the division having signed the likes of Cameron Jerome, Neil Danns and Stephen Kelly.