Young Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson has been told he's
not going to go out on loan next season and will be in with a chance to take
the top spot from Pepe Reina.
Carson was allowed to spend a full season on loan at Charlton
in the last campaign, and was certainly kept busy during the London side's unsuccessful
battle against the drop. He impressed their supporters enough that they named
him their player of the season, the first time it's ever been awarded to a loan
player. He's just been enjoying good reviews from his recent appearances in the
Euro Under-21 Championship in Holland. Appearances in that competition took him
past what had been Jamie Carragher's record for England appearances at that
level.
It was never clear how Rafa's plans for keepers would pan
out next season. Obviously Pepe Reina was first choice – but even that was only
confirmed recently when he ended all speculation linking him with a move back
to Spain by signing an extended contract at Anfield. With Carson away on loan,
Rafa chose Jerzy Dudek as his goalkeeping backup, but Dudek's now out of
contract and listening to offers from Real Madrid amongst others. Daniele
Padelli was effectively third choice last season, after arriving on loan in
January, but Rafa decided not to take up the option of keeping the player on a
permanent deal. Padelli made just one appearance. Next in line is promising
youngster David Martin, who now looks set to be third-choice keeper for the new
season.
Rafa spoke today of his decision over Carson's future:
"I was speaking to Scott recently and I told him he will be part of our
first team squad next season. He must fight with Pepe Reina now for a starting
place. We knew when we fought off Chelsea to sign him he was a talented
goalkeeper."
Talk of 21-year-old Carson leaving for first team football
certainly don't match Rafa's plans: "He got some good experience last
season and now he is coming back to us," said the boss.