The Scouse Liverpool academy graduate trying to knock Alisson out of the World Cup with Norway

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When Liverpool supporters tune in to Brazil’s last-16 clash against Norway at the World Cup on Sunday, most will likely be hoping for Alisson Becker and his nation to progress.Though a Norway win would mean an easier path for England – on paper at least – should they beat Mexico, plenty of Reds fans could not care less about the Three Lions.Instead, they should want to see Alisson do well and cement himself as one of this generation’s very best goalkeepers. Who should Liverpool’s new top target be after being rejected by Yan Diomande?

This is a BIG blow to the Reds' summer plans 😓 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Photo Agency However, there is one reason for Liverpool fans, especially local supporters, to root for Norway: former Reds academy youngster Thelo Aasgaard, who, after being born and raised on Merseyside, is representing the country of his father at the World Cup.Who is former Liverpool player Thelo Aasgaard?Liverpool fans could be forgiven for knowing absolutely nothing at all of Aasgaard heading into the World Cup. He did leave the Reds aged 14 after all.That ended a six-year stint at Anfield for the midfielder, who went on to join Wigan, where he developed through the ranks and went on to play more than 160 times for the first-team.In January 2025 Aasgaard joined Luton, before a move to Rangers last summer saw him become a fairly regular starter at Ibrox.Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Bradley Barcola’s true thoughts on choosing Arsenal over Liverpool this summer revealedThough he has a distinctly Norwegian name, Aasgaard is very much a Merseysider, and, having gone to school in Allerton, has a very definite Scouse twang to his accent.As well as England and Norway, the box-to-box midfielder could also have represented France, the country of his mother.Will Aasgaard play against Brazil?Aasgaard’s first call-up to the Norway fold only came in March 2025, and with midfield options such as Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge and Patrick Berg to battle with, it has been hard for the 24-year-old to get a look in.That has continued at the World Cup so far, when his only minutes came against France on matchday three of the group stage.In what would have been a huge moment for him, Aasgaard scored with a well-taken finish to make his mark on the tournament.He then sat out of the last-32 match against Ivory Coast, and it would be a surprise to see him line up against Alisson and co in New Jersey.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/David Ramos/Joe Prior/Visionhaus Nevertheless, having taken his international tally to five goals in just nine appearances against the French, perhaps manager Stale Solbakken will look to Aasgaard off the bench if his team are chasing the game.Aasgard left Liverpool before Alisson joined in 2018, but as a big boyhood Red, it will be massive for him if he could get on and help the Scandi underdogs get one over on the record world champions. If he can do that, he will make, not only Norway, but the whole of Liverpool proud too.