Liverpool have beaten Chelsea to the signing of Scott Carson, Leeds United's England Under-21 goalkeeper.

The clubs today agreed terms, believed to be around £1million, for the 19-year-old who has made just three first-team appearances for Leeds.

Carson was expected to travel to Liverpool today to undergo a medical and, subject to agreeing personal terms, the transfer will be completed.

Leeds United spokesman Bryan Morris, said: "We wish Scott the very best at his new club.

"He has proved himself to be a top-class 'keeper during his time at Leeds United and we are sure he will continue to impress at Anfield.

"His steady nerve in pressure situations and his professionalism on and off the pitch will ensure he has a bright future."

The cash Leeds receive will enable them to stave off the Inland Revenue who have been pressing for payment of an unpaid bill.

Carson has been unable to dislodge Neil Sullivan from the first team and turned down two Leeds offers of a new contract.

He chose Liverpool ahead of Chelsea as he was a fan of the Anfield club as a youngster and has been assured he will stand a greater chance of first team football there.

The prospect of being the next Lenny Pidgeley may also have been just enough to make up Carson's mind about opting for Merseyside rather than current Premiership leaders Chelsea.

In the protracted chase for the youngster the Londoners' manager, Jose Mourinho, said that Carson would be a 'just in case' buy. Mourinho said: "If a very young goalkeeper is available, we can think about him for the future of the club, instead of having Lenny Pidgeley as the only young goalkeeper.

"If you can have two 'keepers or have one here and one on loan, or have both, I think it is better."

Meanwhile, Leeds may look to use this weekend's visit to Stoke to renegotiate a loan for Michael Duberry, to ease the wage bill.

The central defender lasted only a few minutes of his return against Birmingham in the FA Cup but he did well in his previous spell at Stoke, who are in a poor run of form and might be glad to see him back at the Britannia Stadium.

Leeds' game against Millwall at the Den has been moved on police advice from Saturday, 5 March to Sunday, 6 March, kick off 2pm.

Updated: 12:51 Thursday, January 20, 2005