Liverpool have confirmed that they will stage a number of tributes for the Queen during their Champions League showdown with Ajax in midweek.
The Reds will take on the Eredivisie giants in their second European clash of the campaign at Anfield on Tuesday evening. The group-stage fixture will take place against the backdrop of a period of national mourning following the confirmation of Queen Elizabeth II’s sad death last week.
There was initial doubt over whether the match would take place but it has been announced that the teams will take to the pitch as planned, with the home side planning a number of tributes for the former sovereign.
A club statement read: “ Liverpool Football Club will mark the passing of Her Majesty The Queen at Tuesday's Champions League tie against AFC Ajax.
“Players, officials, staff and supporters will come together for a period of silence before kick-off. Players will also wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
“Flags at Anfield have been lowered to half-mast and will remain so throughout the full mourning period. The club crests on all social media platforms have also changed to black and white, representing the colours of the mourning period.”
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Meanwhile, there will also be a slight alteration to the pre-match build-up between Liverpool and Ajax. As per reports, the Champions League anthem will not be played at Anfield or any other British grounds during the latest round of fixtures, with the song’s inspiration - Handel’s Messiah - to be played at the future coronation of King Charles III.
Following the announcement of the Queen’s death, the Reds posted a short statement on Twitter, like the rest of the clubs in the Premier League. It read: “Liverpool Football Club is saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We extend our sincere condolences to The Royal Family.”
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has also had his say on paying tribute to the Queen, insisting fans will be fully-invested in them. Speaking ahead of the clash on Merseyside, he said: “I think it is the right thing to do but I don’t think our people need any kind of advice from me for showing respect. There are plenty of examples where people showed exactly the right respect.
“One which surprised me and I was really proud of that moment was last season when we played Manchester United around a very sad situation with Cristiano Ronaldo ’s family. And that is what I expect. For me, it is clear that’s what we have to do. That’s it.”
Following the tributes ahead of their game against Ajax, it goes without saying that Liverpool will be aiming to walk away with victory after enduring a nightmare start to the Champions League campaign.
The six-time European champions were humbled 4-1 by Italian giants Napoli during the opening matchweek, having found themselves 3-0 at half-time at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
