[lfc-news] Reds win race to capture Carson - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 20 Jan 2005
Reds win race to capture Carson
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have won the chase to sign highly-rated Leeds goalkeeper Scott
Carson.

Leeds United today confirmed the 19-year-old was heading to Merseyside
for a medical this afternoon, with a view to moving to Anfield in a deal
believed to be worth £600,000.

Sources in London have also accepted Chelsea have lost out in their bid
for Carson, who told the Stamford Bridge club he'd prefer to move to
Liverpool.

Manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful of registering Carson before
Saturday's trip to Southampton, where the teenager can expect to
immediately be included in the squad, initially as cover to Jerzy Dudek.

Carson - a Liverpool fan - decided against a move to London after talks
with the Reds boss.

The prospect of forcing his way into the Anfield starting line-up are
clearly much better than at Stamford Bridge, where Petr Cech is firmly
established as number one.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had indicated he would send Carson on loan if
he chose to join him, whereas Liverpool are in need of immediate
goalkeeping reinforcement.

The long-term futures of both Chris Kirkland and Jerzy Dudek remain
uncertain and speculation is sure to intensify following Carson's arrival.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is winning a fitness battle to face
Southampton this weekend.

The furore regarding his noninclusion in Tuesday's FA Cup tie at Burnley
has now proved irrelevant since the skipper wouldn't have been fit to
play in the game.

Gerrard needed painkillers prior to last weekend's visit of Manchester
United having hurt his groin during last Friday's training session.

He's been undergoing intensive treatment, and while officially rated
'doubtful' for the weekend, is optimistic of travelling with the squad.

Youngster John Welsh, who made his first Liverpool start on Tuesday, has
been offered a one year extension to his current contract.


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