Kristoffer Ajer’s family will make a familiar trip over from Norway this weekend to watch their beloved Liverpool – but they will do so to cheer on Brentford against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The Bees have already claimed 2-0 Premier League wins over Arsenal and Wolves but will face the biggest test since their promotion on Saturday evening when Liverpool visit the Brentford Community Stadium.
It will be an extra special occasion for Ajer, a summer signing from Celtic, as he goes up against the club he supported as a boy.
“We know Liverpool is one of the best teams in the world,” Ajer said. “Half of my family are coming over from Norway, they always enjoy watching Liverpool. They always supported Liverpool but now they are Brentford fans.”
Ajer has been tipped for the top since emerging as a teenager in his homeland with IK Start, and after impressing at Celtic, he was linked with Liverpool as well as several other Premier League clubs.
Brentford made their move in July, paying a reported £13.5million for his signature, and have been quickly rewarded with a commanding presence in defence.
“This is the hardest league in the world to play in,” Ajer said. “It is absolutely challenging both physically and mentally but I am starting to settle in.”
Saturday’s match will see Ajer go up against another former Celtic defender in Virgil Van Dijk, and the 23-year-old can only hope to emulate the Dutchman’s achievements in the game.
“For me Virgil Van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world so for me it is exciting and it is going to be a great, great challenge for us,” he said.
“We know how strong they are at the back as well as the quality they have up front. It is a team full of talent and the way they press and the way they attack, it’s amazing.
“So, it is going to be a tough game but we know if we defend strongly and defend as well as we did against Wolves we have players offensively who can create opportunities and score so it is going to be a very tough one.
“Liverpool are big, big favourites but maybe that suits us well.”
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack
