Champions League fixtures: Will Liverpool vs Ajax be called off?

Liverpool and Rangers are still expecting their Champions League matches to go ahead next week, despite the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Reds are scheduled to take on Ajax at Anfield on Tuesday evening, with the Gers set for a showdown with Napoli at Ibrox on the same night.

News of the Queen’s passing was announced on Thursday evening, with the Premier League and Scottish Premiership subsequently deciding to postpone all matches this weekend. There has been no official announcement from UEFA about whether European games involving English and Scottish clubs will be canned next week. But, according to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are expecting to welcome Ajax to Merseyside and are planning for the clash as normal.

Rangers, meanwhile, released a statement on Friday to confirm that their encounter with Napoli is scheduled to go ahead as planned. “At this difficult time for the United Kingdom, we are cognisant of ongoing uncertainty regarding supporter arrangements and travel plans for next week,” read the statement.

“We are aware of policing and resource pressures, especially on Tuesday, 13th September. We can confirm that discussions are taking place between UEFA, Police Scotland and Rangers regarding our scheduled UEFA Champions League fixture v Napoli on Tuesday, 13th September. As present, the game is scheduled to take place at the scheduled date and time.”

READ MORE: Trevor Sinclair deletes Twitter account as talkSPORT investigate post about Queen’s death

Liverpool and Rangers will now be waiting for updates from UEFA in the coming days. And the European football governing body, who posted a message in tribute to Her Majesty on Thursday, will need to act quickly if they do decide to postpone the games.

“European football offers sincere condolences to The Royal Family and citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms,” read a UEFA statement. “UEFA informs that a moment of silence was observed at matches involving British teams tonight as a mark of respect following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

And UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added: “UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most-respected figures. Our thoughts are with her family and the President of the English Football Association, Prince William, as well as with the citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms.”

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our new Facebook group by clicking here